Indigenous Diversion Centre opens in Prince George to tackle over-incarceration
Published 11:03 pm Tuesday, October 14, 2025
A new chapter in justice reform began in Prince George with the opening of the new Indigenous Diversion Centre.
On Oct. 14, representatives from both BCFNJC and RCMP signed the agreement at the grand opening of the new centre, witnessed by Elders, First Nations leaders, government officials, and community members.
The new initiative seeks to provide Indigenous individuals with alternatives to jail, aiming to reduce the disproportionate number of Indigenous people behind bars.
According to a press release, the collaboration between the two entities outlined in the agreement is essential to the implementation of diversion services at the Indigenous Diversion Centre (IDC), with the local police enforcement being the main referring partner to the pre-charge program.
Not only the first-of-its-kind in B.C., but also in Canada, the IDC is a therapeutic diversion model that pivots on the root causes of offending by providing a caring cultural environment where true rehabilitation and healing can occur.
It aims to step in early to prevent re-offenses and provide an alternate path away from harm for those who participate in the new model.
Despite having a soft launch of its post-release program back in July, the IDC is fully underway with both pre-charge and post-release programming available to First Nations, Métis and Inuit adults living in Prince George.
Kory Wilson, BCFNJC chair, said the council is ready to help with the success of the diversion program and to support healing, safety and equity for the Indigenous community of Prince George.
"This is a momentous advancement of Indigenous-led justice reform and a start to transforming the relationship between First Nations and policing," he said.
"Police are most often the first aspect of a person's interaction with the justice system, and as the main referrer to the diversion centre, the RCMP is key to helping Indigenous folks access culturally appropriate supports and resources."
Chief Dolleen Logan of the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation added that the nation is proud to see the opening of this facility in their territory.
"As a first of its kind strategy in B.C., we are eager to see the positive outcomes this type of support can drive to Indigenous peoples at all stages of their personal journey," she said.
For Darin Rappel, superintendent at Prince George RCMP, the community-based alternative to the traditional criminal justice system is much welcomed.
"For certain types of crimes, where those causing the harm are found to be in the repeating cycle of criminality, police can consider the Indigenous Diversion Centre," he said,
"[It's] a justice referral path, led by the BCFNJC, that addresses the root causes of offending and will help provide a pathway to ending recidivism and future contacts with police."
Rappel added that the success at an individual level means success at the community, which results in long term community safety.
