A British Columbia judge has denied a request from prosecutors to label Christopher Prokopchuk as a dangerous offender, despite his extensive criminal history, which includes a 30-year record of robbery, parole violations, and assaults while in custody. The ruling, made by Justice Barbara Norrell, came after Prokopchuk pleaded guilty to attempted robbery in Surrey, B.C., in 2021.
The Crown lawyers argued that Prokopchuk's criminal behavior warranted an indeterminate sentence, asserting that his issues were "intractable" and that the only way to protect the public was through this designation. They pointed to his history of purposely leaving fingerprints at robbery scenes and waiting for police to arrive after committing crimes as evidence of his dangerousness.
However, Justice Norrell concluded that the Crown had not met the burden of proof necessary to declare Prokopchuk a dangerous offender. She noted that any future psychological damage he might inflict in subsequent offenses did not rise to the level required for this designation. Instead, she determined that Prokopchuk qualified as a long-term offender and sentenced him to 5-and-a-half years in jail, less time already served, leaving him with two years and 13 days left on his sentence.
In addition to the jail time, the court imposed a 10-year supervision order, recognizing that the Crown had indeed proven that Prokopchuk poses "a substantial risk" of reoffending. His criminal record dates back to 1996 when he was convicted of multiple break-and-enters and thefts at the age of 16, stating in court that he committed these offenses due to homelessness.
Throughout the years, Prokopchuk has faced numerous imprisonments for similar crimes, probation violations, and drug-related offenses, as well as multiple bank robberies throughout British Columbia. The judge highlighted a particular instance in 2007 when he received a five-year sentence for break and enter, theft, and related offenses in Terrace, B.C. During this case, he cooperated with authorities, indicating an awareness of the legal consequences he faced.
Norrell's ruling extensively discusses Prokopchuk's criminal mindset. She noted that he intentionally did not wear gloves during many of the robberies, demonstrating a willingness to be apprehended. His most recent offenses, including an attempted robbery of a credit union, were viewed by the judge as acts of desperation, possibly driven by his homelessness. Video evidence showed Prokopchuk immediately surrendered to the police upon their arrival, suggesting a potential desire to return to jail.
The judge pointed out that the prosecutors acknowledged they could not prove a likelihood of Prokopchuk causing death or physical harm in future offenses. In her assessment, the multiple bank robberies committed by Prokopchuk, some of which involved imitation firearms, did not involve direct violence or threats to the victims, leading to her conclusion that there remains a "reasonable possibility of eventual control in the community."
This ruling serves as a significant legal decision regarding the application of dangerous offender designations, highlighting the complexities involved in assessing the threat posed by individuals with extensive criminal histories. Prokopchuk's case presents a unique intersection of psychological evaluation, homelessness, and criminal behavior, prompting ongoing discussions about public safety and rehabilitation within the judicial system.
