Fort St. James Courthouse, British Columbia

I took the photograph above of the new Fort St. James, B.C. Courthouse this summer. The courthouse is outside of the town centre, and it is surrounded by a fence with barbed wire on top. When I took the photograph, on a weekend, the gates were shut. What kind of a message does this send? Mr. Attorney General: Tear down that fence!

Below is a photograph of the old courthouse in Fort St. James. Perhaps it looks a little worse-for-wear, but it is in the centre of town. More importantly the old courthouse building is not surrounded by a fence with barbed wire.

Courthouse are symbols of law and of our judicial system. They must feel a part of the community. They ought to be welcoming to people.