New high risk offender category for mentally ill patients
Posted February 8, 2013 10:55 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BURNABY (NEWS1130) – The Prime Minister has revealed a new high risk category to keep mentally ill criminals off the streets. Stephen Harper is in the Lower Mainland today and announced the Not Criminally Responsible Reform Act at an event in Burnaby.
“When an individual found not criminally responsible is released, the notice requirements will be expanded so that their victims and the families of victims are informed,” he explains.
“As well, review boards will be given the power to order non communication between these individuals and their victims.”
He adds individuals held under the act will continue to be held in secure mental health facilities, not prisons.
Harper admits the legislation will not undo the harm done to victims like Darcie Clarke, who was a prominent part of Harper’s speech. Her three children were killed by former husband Allan Schoenborn in Merritt in 2008.
“It was years ago; it was just unbelievable that this actually did happen. It was like an awful nightmare and now, only a few years later, things have changed for the better,” says Clarke’s cousin Stacey Galt, who spoke at today’s announcement.
Schoenborn is now in a psychiatric hospital. He was found not criminally responsible for the murders. The BC Review Board will revisit his case next week.
