Indigenous offenders in Prince George are able to avoid criminal charges for minor offences if they’re willing to enter into a new restorative justice program, the first of its kind in Canada, according to the B.C. First Nations Justice Council.

Indigenous people who commit a non-violent crime can, instead of being charged by the RCMP, opt to stay at the Indigenous Diversion Centre for 90 days of treatment, at which point the charges will be dropped, according to council chairperson Kory Wilson.

She and Prince George RCMP Supt. Darin Rappel signed a letter of agreement that would allow the diversion of offenders into the centre, where they would complete a program designed to help them address the root cause of their criminal behaviour, such as trauma or addiction, and heal and recover t

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