·~.

Research a~d Statistics Division New South Wales Department of Corrective Services

A REPORT ON PLEA.:

An oYerview New South W< reference t' and release

NSW Corrective Se!Vices Due Date

1977

1tation in th particular mtion, review C' 1s pleasure.

This report was prepared by E.C. Seysener (B.S.W. (Hons) U.N.S.W,) under· the direction of the Senior Research Officer, lJ.S, Dewdney (M.A. (Hens) U .n .s. W .. ; Dip, Soc. Stud; Dip. Crim. Mel b.)

TABJoE OF COITTENTS .... ,_,. __ SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION

SECTION 2. LEGISLA.TION

A. Special Verdict

(a) N.s.w. Mental Health Act 1958

(b) Transfer of Governor's Pleasure

Prisoners to Psychiatric Hospital

1

3

3

3

3

(c) N.S.W. Legislation- An Historical Perspective 3

(a:) The English Legislation 4

(e) A Comparison of the Trends in N.s.w. and England

(f) Cane,dian Legislation

B. Variations in the Governor 1s Order

c. Statutory Review Provisions

(a) 1~ .SoYf. Legislation - Health commission

(b) Department of Corrective Services

(c) English Legislat.i.on

(d) CanacUan Legislat5.on - Boards o:f Review

D. Diminished Responsibility

(a) The Legislation -N.s.w. Crimes Act 1900

(b) The Legislation - El1.gland and Canada

(c) Use of Diminished Responsibility in England

(d) Use in N.s.w.

SECTION 3. DI[PL:EMEJ:fTATION OF THE LEGISLATION

A. Introduction

B. Court Procedure and Disposition

(a) The Defence of Mental Illness

(b) Disposition in N.s.w. (c) Disposition in England

(d) Disposition in Canada

4

5

5

5

5

6

6

7

7

7

8

8

8

10

10

10

10

13

13

14

c. Detention of Governor 1s Pleasure Prisoners

(a) Department o~ Corrective Services, N.S~Wo

(b) Health ConmLiesion of N,S.W.

(o) Detention in England

D. Revi~l and Release

(a) Department of Corrective Services, N ,S,W.

(b) Health Commission of N.S.W.

(c) Reviev1 and Release in England

(d) Review in Canada

E. Supervision on Release, N.S.W,

SECTION 4-. DESCRIPTI\TE STATISTICS OF GOVERUOR 1 S DETAIN"EES

Table 4. i Location of G.P.s in Custody

Table 4.2 Stat~s of Released G,P.s

Table 4-.3 Classification of Outcomes for Remaining G.J?.s.

Table 4-.4 Summary

Table 4.5 Reasons for Revocation

Table 4.6 Offences of G.P.s

Table 4.7 Length of Time in Custody before Release from Prison

Table 4.8 Length of Time in Custody for Currently in Custody

SECTIOl~ 5. SELECTED CASE ILLUSTRATIONS

SECTION 6, DISCUSSION OF PROCEDURES -~ THE EMERGING IS&'UES

A. Introduction

PLEASURE

G.P.s

n·. The concept of Dangerousness and its Prediction

14

14

15

17

17

17

20

21

22

22.

24

24

?~ -?

25

26

26

27

28

29

29

36

36

36

(a) General 36

(b) Sociological Research - "Operation Baxstrom11 37

(c) Clinical Research 38

'

C. Individual Rights

(a) The Right to Appeal uno.er British Law

(b) Right to Appeal in. the Uni tec1 States

(c) l"'""..::ison as a Place of Detention in N .s

D. Court Procedures and Disposition

(a) Present Disposition Procedures

(b) Judicial Attitudes

•

38

38

38

39

39

39

40

E. Detention of Goven1or's Pleasure Offenders in r£ison 4i

F. Review in Department of Corrective Services 43

(a) The Parole Board

(b) Psychiatric Assessment

(c) Delays in the Review Process

43

43

44

G. Interface of the Two Systems - Corrections and Health 45

(a) Roles

(b) Proposals for Changing Roles and Responsibilities

H. Supervision on Release

SECTION 7. ALTERNATIVES IN PROCEDURE A11D LEGISLATION

A, Alternative Forms of Disposition

(a) General Comments on Current. Pro~edure

(b) N.s.w. Proposed Mental Health Act

(c) The Canadian Proposal (d) The English System - Hospital Orders

B. Alternative Forms of Review

(a) N.s.w. Proposed Mental Health Act

(b) The Canadian System - Boards of Review

(c) The English System - Advisory Board to the Home Secretary

c. In Conclusion

45

47

49

51

51

51

51

52 53 53

53

54

54

55

References 57 Appendix; Mental Health Act 1958, sections 23, 29, 29A & 29B

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1 . 1 The :focus of this report :Ls on those cJ~:l.minally

disordered offenders who have been tried ano. :found. to be nn.ot

gull·ty on the e;rounds of me!l.tal illnes,s 11 , The <dm o:f the

report :5.s to outline the relevant legislation e.nd to ClescJ:j_ be

the p:cocesses and rroced.u.res a.dopted in the detentions t;."'en:tm.el1.·t, and rel(=:ase oi~ thj.s catesory o.f of.fencler ¢ This

leaves aside those other ce.tegories o:f mentall:r-di.sordered

offenders vvho . come \Yithtn the crimi.nal-just.ice system:

p€n:--sons found :not f1t to l)lead and. prisoners who become

mentaD.y ill while servine; a cJ eterminate sentence, Refere!lce

ts m::'~de to these categories o:f offenc1e:rs Ythen :i.t is

considered to have bea.ring on t)oe j)rocesses that affect

persons detained at thG Governor 1 s Plea.sure-x·,

1 ,2 A descrir)tion of what !1ct})IJe11S to G,P,s i.n the

Corrections-Health system leads to consideration of the

prol:Jlems involved i.n implementing preseDt legisJ.2.tion ancl

an exe-rnination of possible a1tern?.~tive systems of dispos :t tion

t:r'eetment and review, A brief description of legislation

and practice in other Commonwealth countries is intr0d.ucerl

to illustrate alternatives in philosophy and manae:er1ent of

this catee;ory of offender.

1 .3 The central issue hi.nges on where th.e responsibility

for management of G.P.s shou.ld lie, The dual system ap:proach

involving both the De1)artment of Corrective Services and the

Health Commission, leads to a reluctance to classify such

indi vicluals as either criminal or menta11y ill, The offender

is not treated like an ordinary criminal, but neither is he

treated like an. ordinary mentally-ill :person,

1 .4 Some of the trencl.s in at"\:;j_tudes that highlie;ht the need

for re-examination of this group of offender can be

summarized as follows:

* The abbrevie.ted notation, G.P.s, is nsed in this report to refer to persons detained at the Governor.' s Pleasure,

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(i) The gro~Nl1'1fS conrmJ.Y'!J..t::y orientation o:f.'

psychiatric ce.:ce otncl. the concurreEtly shorter hos:pi t5.1-

ization per:i.ods :for the mentalJ.y ilL

( ij.) A grow.tnc~ emph8 .. s5~s on tren,tm.::;nt fac11i ties

o..:r~d concern abo·at tJJ.e l)OSsiblP. det:cimenta1 effect3 of

certain lep;al proced.l)_res.,

( J .. lJ.) Grov;:LT){3; concern a1Jout -t-::::::-a:~1s~s·-::·ession o:C' cj_ v:L]_

l.i.berties(i

' . ) \ J.V' A re-exar.:J.inat1on of the assu:mpti .. o:ns need

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(a)

2.1 Sectj_on 23 of the Mental Health Ac·i; 1958 rncov:i.des 'fo~ a srYaci.al ve:::?d5.ct to be broug1rt; j_n whe:r.·e it-. can lle

shown that the offe:rvl.er was menta.l1y ill at the tir,l.e of

the offence: a verdict le2-,cl5.ne to acq_ui ttal o:0. the r~~cun.nds

of mental illness o In the ease of snc!1. a verdict the 2udze

shall oJCder that

~ ~" su.ch person be ke:rt in strict custody, in s·n..ch :place a!ld 1n su.ch ma:nne~c' as to such 2u.dc;e seems f:i.t u:a.ti1 the Governo!:' s s F1ee.sure i.s knovJn, and the:re .... upo:r. the G-overnor m?.--Y c5.ve f:T1J.cl1 orcl.eJ? fo:c- the sa.fe custody of S1.Jch person duriYJg tht~ Governo:!' t s Pleasure i.n e. r>rison e.s the GoveJ.:rJ.or deems flt ..

2.2 Section 23(4-) of the r,cental He0lth Act provides for the transfer of GoP~s from prison to a :psychie .. :trtc 11.0S}!ttal

in the form of a Schedule J:'hree completed by two mec1ic2"l practi. ti.oners, A Schedule Three req_ub:es evidence of observable mental ilJ.ness which sue;5ests that I"'l:csons treated with drues and being kept in :cemj_ssi.on by those drugs are not elj_gible for scheduling, The prob1ems that this provision in the legisl<ttion creates for a.pr.>ropriate placement of G.P.s are discussed in paragraphs 6.19-6,20,

(c) li,.S,W. Lerrj_slation- A.n Historical Per~ctive

2.3 Under the first legislation enacted in N.S.W. in 1878,

h . h ~ - d . . ' d" ·~· f G P ~h w .~c conca~ne provJ.s~on Ior ~spos~ ,.J.on o.· ,_ .s, c •. e Governor was not required to make an order until Schedules were completed for transfer of the G.P. to a hospj_tal for the crj_minally j_nsane, From thi.s it must be concluded that. the person was detained in prison after trial and only entered a mental hospital on completi.on of Sehedules,

-------------------------------* Abbreviation for New South WaJ.es

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2.4 Th8 I:una<?.y :~81; 189FJ introclucf:S cche p:r ov.i.s.i.on for the

Governor to r1ake an order .in respect of a11 (L, 1? ~s if he so

wishes anCl the order was .for safe custody i.:n :'such ga.ol or

other pla.ce of confinement as to the Governor seems .f_ite 11

The provision fo1? SchedulhJ.g was retained., f,Tthour:h t'J.e

Governor could exsrcise his discret.i.on as to place of

custod3r ,. l t BeRms that in pract:Lc~~ prj_ son beectme

esta)·Jlished. as the .firAt ~1e..ce of detention al-ter triaJ~"

2(;5 The J.,Tental Realth Act 1958 cont~t:.r.ms this procedJ."TP j_r;

statute as it sta .. tes that n", c the Gove-rnor may eive su.ch

order for the safe custody of St1ch person (> .. <I< in a priRon

as the Govern.or deem.s fit .. 1t

(cl)

1800, which p:rovidecl for the special verdict and fo:c custo(1y

until the pleaS1J.re of His lviajesty was known; His Majestyvs

order v:1as to "suc11. place a:n.d in such manner as to His

Majesty seems f.i t," Pe:r:so:ns were often directly admH:tecl

to county mental e.sylums or in the case of the clanger·ously

mentally ill to Bedlam Hos:p.ital, No provision was made for

schedules as direct disposj_ tion in :psychiatric hospitals was

possi l)le, The lmt;lish let;islation has rema:i.ned. largely

unchanged. since 1800, The most recent chances in 1964,

provide for the executive order, now made by the Home

Secrete.ry, to specify only a hospital as the place of safe

custody,

(e) 2v 'P 0. E"ri.P" lE((l cl. ~"""·~-·

2, 7 The legi s1a ti ve trends in Engla:ocl and h1 N. S ,''f. a I> pear

to run in opposite directions. In Ene;land the trenil: moved

from the use of d.iscretion as to place of detention to

specifying a hospital as the only place of detention, In

N ,S,W, the Governor's discretion was narrocved in the Mental

Health Act 1958 to specifyint::: prison as the p1ace of

detention Jco be nominated in the order.

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2 o8 SimlJ.(lY' :provj_si.o:tJ..S :ln Canada a.re covered by a PeO.eral

Act: The Criminal Cod.e of Cana<l.a 1953 -:)!f, Section 54-2( 2),

pro"THlblg for th.e court to o:cder custody after the f:Lncling of not tftl.ilty by reason of insanity, is very simtlar to the

N ~S~~YT;. legislation.: n .. "., $ the ~judge o"" shall o:rclfn:" strict custody in the :plctce anO. j_n the ma~n_ner tJI?,t the ., .. "o judge

directs unttl the :pleasure of the licoutenant governor of

the })rovinoe ts h""Ylovrn(> tl

2,9 Provisions for transfer to a :osychiatric hos~1i tal are

hou·e"Ter a'< ""fe,...en-'- f'"Offi 'c S 1'1 ] ecr< ~] ~-'-1" Ol1 II~\ . ...!...L--. - L< --..t..>.. ~ .U e• <ttl o • 't";>..l.->:.:l' .c>.U. --o The Lieutenant-

Governor may order traY'sfer to a :psychiatrtc hOS}Jital on

sa tt sfactory evi.dence, Completion of schc;dules is not

necessary for transfer to a psychi.e.tric hospital in the

Ca-r1.arlian legislation,

2,10 Section 29 of this Act is concerned with effectinc

vari2.tions in the Governor 1 s Order, If a G, P, is detai.ned

in a psychiatric hof3pi tal a:n<.1 the medical off leer wishes

the patient to go outside the cr·ounds of the hospital as a

further ste1' towards rehabilitation he may ap;::ly, through

the ?'rinci1X.1.1 .hdv:i.se~c, trental 1th, for a Y~=il~:i.e.tj_on i:rJ,. the

Gove:cnor 1 s order, This may be for employment, weekend leave

or exteno.ed leave. Similarly an application for conditional

release directly from the psychiatric hospital can be made

to the Governor,

c. 2.t.atutorv Review Provisions

(a) N.S.V!. I,e.r:islation -Health Commissi.on

2, 11 There are two sections of the Mental Health Act which

provide for :review of G.P.s detained in psychiatric

hospitals: these apply equally to all categories of

prisoners who are mentally ill, Firstly, section 29B

:reC]_uires the G.P. to be brought before the Mental Health

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Trj .. bv.nal"''f if he is sttll deta1ned at ·the end of s:l .. x months o

If .it j_s determined the.t the IJ2~tient s~hould not be detair~~~d

for fltrtJ;e:e obse:rvat:i_on ancl treatme11.t and_ he is Si.}bject to

remain i.n custody, as are G.P. s, the !Jerson sha1J. r)e

returnee} to p-.r.ison, 'J'hese l)rovisj_ons are dLscussea. further

j_n para~:ea }Jhs 3 ~ 2 8 c

2 c 1 2 SecoJ)_:.)_ly, the SliiJerin"t.enclent of the psychiB-tric

hor5pj_ ta1 is rec;uj red to med5cal1y examine or "cEnJse to be

medically examineo_n o:f:fett0._er detainees to d.eterr:1i:nc1 'Hhether

or Y10t they are stl11 menta11y ill and VJhether continuec1

detention in a mental hos:pitFt1 is necessary.

(b) De-r)8.J::tm.ent of CoTr.·ectlve Serv:Lces ------------·------.. ~ -·

2. 13 Section 7 of the Parole of Prisoners Act 1966 :pr·ovicl.es

for the Parole Board to reviev.r and report to thr.:: lti..nister as

to whetl1 e:r- a G. P, should continue to be detained .. in :pri.son,

The po:tic:i..e.s adopted to :i.mplemeJ1t thie. }".n::ov.isio:r:t a::..-:--e

(Jt scnssed J.n I)8_.r8.grg.:;_;h 3 c 2i,

in :parae-rar1hs 6. 23-·6, 29,

(c) Eng]j f{h Levi. sls.tion ---~---~-----··-~-

the associated difficulties

2.14 There are two bocUes concerned with review of "Her

Majesty's Pleasure 11 detainees. One of these bodies is a

statutory Mental Health Tribunal a.nd the other is a r.on­

statutory ad.vi.sory bo2.rd to the Home Secretary.

2.15 The Tribunal is a safee;uard for psychiatric p2.tie:n.ts

e-enerally and offender patients may a:p:0ly to the Tri.lmnal

for a review of their case once within the six.month.s

from the de< te of o:r-der 2.nd every six months thereaf-ter,

The patient's nearest relative has the ri.ght to apply to

the Tribune.l once in the fj_:r-st twelve months and once a

year thereafter, ~Che TribunFtl only acts in an ac1vj_sory

function to the Home Office in the case of "Her 1,Iajesty 1 s

Pleasure" detainees,

-x- The Mental Health Tribuna1s are statutory bocl.ies for the safee:uard of psychia.tric ]?atier.ts e;enerally. The T:c-i bunaJ. conststs o.f a ]!By-chi.atrist, a medical practitioner and a b9.rri.ster/solj_c:l.tor, The decj_sio::1S of the r,:•ribunal override Erny deci.sion me.de by the medical superintendent of the hosr)i tal.

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2 .. 1 6 T!1e recomm ti.on by t}I.C? A1·vold ttee(l) t.l.la.t

com.1!r:Lses rJ. 1ezs.1 chai~ccJa.n; a fo::.-ens:l. c r-sychi2-trtBt ::1"YJ.d. a

representative of the social work ~rofessj_one

2 .. 17 The Crir;d.Tlf).l Code (SectJ..on 5~-7) autho-rized t}Je

crea.tion of }3oards of Revi.e;N at t11e OlJtio::l of the l)rov:l.ncia1

goverY;mc-;nts, Tb.e 1egis1e:l:i.on stiiJule.tes th;_,:=.J.t the boarrl

shall consist of three to f'i.v(~ membe:r·s ~~ Further, at least

two raembers sha1l be 0ue.li:fi.ed psychiatrj.sts and one t'.ember

shaJ.J. be a member o.f the b9.r.

2o18 'J:he ~ooarO. must :cev:l.ev.r every gerson not later than six

months s,fter t}Je raa.kine of tl!.·s order 2,:nc1 at least once

every 6 months thsreaf'ter that the offe:n.t1.e::2 is detaJ_ned.~

AfteJ.~ each review the boa.J~d is to reJlort to the Go,reJ?nor

settin~~ out tl10 J•esu.1ts ancl statinr; "tvhethe~c the 11erson has

reco'\n~n:ed. s.nd, if so, v.rhether it is the boe.:cd r s o:o1nion

that it is in the .interest o.f the :public and of that person

for him to be released ori either condi tiona.l or absolu-te

discharge.

2. i 9 HeYi.ew ann. report can also be ree1.uesteil by the Governor

at any t:l.me.

D.

(a) The LePiSl8.tion - lJ.S.W. Crimes Act 1900, Amendme;1tTiil., l97J. -·-

2,20 This new section of the Crimes Act introduces 11dimi.nished res:ponsi bi1i. ty 11 into N. S :-N, law.

in the legislation allows .for the reduction

charge to manslaue;hter if there is a mental

if, in the opinion of the jury, this led to

responsibility.

This provision

of a murder

abnormality and

a diminution of

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(b)

2. 21 The provisions iD. 1'::nelish 1ee;is1ation in the Hom.icj~de Act 1957 are ver:~r simil8,r to the N. S., Vl.,

Lee;:i.slation,

2c22 There j~s 110 p:ro1rision fo:e a defence of dimini.sh;:::a.

res pons)_ bility j_n Ca:natiian law,

(c) Use of D5mj.nishec1 Res::onsibili tv j_n Rr•P:land --------·- ----------· . ' -

2.23 Reference to this nc~'N .form of defence becomes

releve.Y;t to G.P.s when seen in the context of

develOI!ments in Iiing1and. ~ In :!Sngla.nd, successful use of

the clefence of diminished res:rlOnsj_bili ty woTks in

conjunction wi ·th prov.isio:0_S und.eT the lTental Health· A.ct

1959, which a1lows the court to Oc7der detention in a

psychiatric hOSlJi tal instead of rrrison,. The m.ental

health legislation cove~cs the vrhole range of offe1;cos

from vagrancy to ma:n.s1aue;hter, Co:.1join~1y, these two

pieces of legi.slation ( llJ10SlJi tal orc"lersH and "Climi211ohed

responsibiJ.:Lty 11 ) give the court ftd.equate power to cleal

appro2n:•iat.ely ·;;,ri th ca.ses 1nvol ving a wide ran.e.;e of rnf;~o.tal

dlsorder tvhere the I\~cNaughton r~l11tas may not a:vD1Y., rl'l1e

develo:pmen·t ~~ .. n.d improvenent of these procecJ.nres is becominc

of far greatel~ })racticaJ. ~ im:,?orta~J.c) than the ap:0J..icat1on of tho J:!o1T.aue:hton :i..n.sani ty d.efence, · 2

2.24- N .s.w. leei.slation allows for no other oc:-der of

confinement to be made, :if a conviction is proven, except

for sentence, Penal ties for mansla.ughtor range fron nominal

pcmishment to penal servitude for li.fe. The use of -the

defence of "di.minished resporcsi.bi.lity" is relatively rcew in

U.S.W. and sentencinc; under this section has already raised

important issuesQ

2,25 In R. v. Veen (Aug. 1975) this defence was

successfully used and a se:nteneo of penal servitude for life

was handed down. The tried jud,se Gtated in his judgement

that the oriU.nary sentencing pri .. ncirle of pnnishrnent did. not

apply anrl life imprisonmo:1t was seen as necessRry for the

:protection of the comrrnmity. The judge conced.ec1 that there

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were cro11nc1s foT consi.~~e:r·ing \Tc~e-.r1 as m.ent?..ll.y d5.so:::·derP.c1

but the:ce wc:~_s no inst,t t:o.tio:n, otJ-1 n.~r. ths.r lYr5~so::n, to which

he could be sent~ This })roblera has .:Lmr1i.cat:i..ons fo:c the

use o.f this defence, es~0ee.i.al:t.y ~~vhen lo:n.g sentences R.re

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3 "1 Current i.nst.it.ution.r.\1 arra:-r.!:::;mnents fo::-> the a:p]}reften.sion~.

detent5.on and treatr1ent of G.P.s hwoJ.ve two f'l.3.jor

systems Figi.J.:ce s 3.1-3. 3 represent the :Lnter:.face of the crj.mi.n?~l

justice and rnents.l health systern.s c The ar:rovrs in.d.ieate

tl;.e usual di::ectio:n.s of' erJ.t-5.:nm8.te mover:1ents "~"Nith a

:note along the arro1v 1:nd1eating the p:rocecl~.ral m.echanism

in1rol vec11>

3. 2 Although th.i s re}">ort is not c1.5~r(~ctly cone erned \~Ji th

the c1 efence of mental illness, reference ,,,_s to how . ·" J.. ,_, is

in·t:.erpreted by the jud.[~e has bec:t:r:lng on the extent of

mental illness of an o:ffencl.e:r ~\t the time of c1etention~

3.3 The defen.ce of ment<d .. illness is based on application

of the !·.kNaue;hton rules, which rel2.te to the mental

.condition of the offender at the ti.me of the offence~ i,e, a person's j_nte11ectual ability to appreciate firstly,

the J)hysical act that he was doine; and secondly, whether

that act was wrone;.

3.4 Australian jucl::;es have been able to use the

McNaue;hton 3~u1es with some dee;ree of flexi.bj.li ty, Ii'r,

Justice D1xo:r_ 5-n R .. v., Porte:r:· instructed the jury that

they should ac'lui_ t the :pri_soner i.f, a.t the time of the

crime, he could not reason about rightness or wrongness 11wi th a moderate degree of composure". ( 3 ) ~Chis instruction has S'.lOSe(luently been used in cases 'Nhere the

judge considers it aplJrO:;Jl'iate and for all practical

purposes establi.shes irresistible impulse as a part of criminal law in Austra1ia,(4)

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;..F..:i""g:;;u..:r.;;E?:..,.;;3~.·::.1..:__U:;;;;sua1 Routes for G~P. 's in N.S~W.

COMMUNITY __ ..... _

';{ !-'· rr c ::J

COM~IUNITY

Charge

l Sp~CJ.ctl lverd~!t

~

r-PRIS~i'J L l

Governor's Order

1 PRISON

I 2 Schedules Three

1 i", ___ _ MAX, NEDIUM

SECURITY MENTAL

HOSPITAL '1 CD < !-'• CD s 0 '1

3 co 8:----0 OJ r

'1 CD < !-'·

~

'----

l OPEN WARD

NENTAL HOSPITAL

variation in order

I OTHER

FACILITY

in order

l COMMUNIT:f

r >"· 0 co :J 0 (0

0 '1

< OJ '1 ,,, ;'i-f-'• 0 :J

f-'· :J

0 '1 D. (0

'1

---. r (0

~ ro 0 _, Dl rr (J) (0 ::J 0 ro ~

COMMUNITY

-12-

Figure 3. 2 Route for !···1c:r F/:l·iesty's Plco..sur"'e-"C;;;a;.:sc;;;e.~---i·n E12.,Cil_-_a~~·.?. ---.. .... -..----~---··-----~---""·"'"----- --- ·---- --

CDIVMUNITY

I Charge

l [iouRT J

I \ verdict

\ CIVIL . ~--·­

HOSPITAL SftCIAL

HOSPITAL

Tribunal or Advisory Council :r~ecornrnendation

licence

\ I COMMUNITY

Figure 3. 3 Route for c. P. 'e in Ontario, Canada ~-------------- ..... -- .. ~--.... -,

[§~] I

Special verdict

J, HOLDING PRISON

7-10 days

Governor's Order

! [mAL HOSPITAL!

I Er?.rd of Review recommendation

l COMMUNITY

-13-

3.5 When an offender is acquitted on the grounds of illness e:::;ta.blished :proce<lure is :for the j·udge

d on in a prison, as a place of safe custody, till the Governor's Pleasure is known. An order :from the Gove:::·no:z.' is obtained confirming detention in a pr~csm1 during the Governor's Pleasure.

3.6 The implication of the broad use of the defence of mental illness discussed above, is that persons suffering from a temporary mental disord.er, who commit a.:n. offen.oe, can be detained indeterminantly. They may be sane at the time of the trial and, in some instances, considered not likely to commit a further offence, yet detention in strict custody is mandatory. The dilemma that the judge may find himself in is illustrated in R. v. Cynthia Butterworth. Mrs. Butte~vorth spent 10 months in the community on bail

. before trial and then had to be ordered to be kept in strict custody. The judge expressed the wish that she be psychiatrically assessed immediately and that the result be brought to the notice of the Governor as soon as poss1ble. The N .s .W. legislation did not :permit court reJ_ea.se of the offender to either conditional or unconditional liberty. However, the statutory provisions do not appear to restrict confinement to prison as the place of safe custody to be ord.ered by the court. Further discussion of this interpretation of the legislation is.in paragraphs 6.13- 6.14. Over the years it seems to have become a matter of procedural tradition rather than legislative restraint that has led to prison being the only place of confinement directly after the trial.

(c) Disposition in EnRland

3.7 As noted in paragraph 2.6 disposition of "Her Majesty's Pleasure" cases in mental hospitals has been part of the English procedure since the enactment of the

-1<'1-

lee;1slation 1n 18oo·;~" There were considerable ma:n.~=:-cenlent

and security probiems bnt the poiicy reg<J.rcHnt:; ill2.l'"-£ement of these offenders has alvvays been that they are

basically the responsib11i ty of the Mental Fee~l th System(.>

This was confin1ed in statute in 1964 when j_t we.s en2.cted

that tl1.e Home Secret~3 .. ry could o:n.ly spec:i.fy a hospi ta1 as

the place o:f ous·tody o

3 .. 8 The Mer1.tal Health i:~ssociF;. tion stu(1y( 6 ) of me:ntally

disordered offenders indicates t d.eteJJ.ti.on, re·,.r.:Levv ancl

release of G.P.s varies from l)rovi.nce to provi .. nce,

most a::ee he1c1 i.n mental insti tl."J.t:i.ons, some a:ce holJ_sed in,

prison a.:nd a sr:te.ll n1.u:1be:r in :n.ursin.g hoTnes <li

3,9 Offend.ers in. Ontario found not guilty on the p;rounds

of mental ill:aess go fron tl1e trj_al to Don' s Jail in

Toronto which acts as a holcU.nz cent:ce "LJ.:nt.il the

JJi81)_tena:nt-Gove:t .... .r1or signs the w2"rra.nt which allo:vs s..Clr~issio:n

into a rsychj_atric h .. osp5. te~l ~ ~Phe avere<:se length of stay at

non's Jail is 7 - 10 days,*-''

C" .D3TJ~lT'i:IOH OF GOV~'8170~R. 1 S F1~J:~A.SU~.E Pi=ZI S01F0l.S ~ __ ,...,._ _______ .. _ ... _______ ~----

3,10 A G.P. is receiveo. :i.nto prison in r:mch the sco.me w2,y as

other prisoner·s ~ Hf~ is wedica1Jy examir:.ed. on rece.~:;tion and

the exami11.er may refer: the :pri.soc::Jcr directly to the -orison

pS:J'Ch} .. atrist; such referral may also bs effected by the

Reception Corm.i ttee. F:d.soners who show overt mental

illness are detained :i.n the Observation Section at I,ong Bay.

?<· T}-1e practice in the 19tb century \vas for the Home Of'f'ice, before making out the order, tc ask the visiting jt.J.stices of the gao1 1 where the :person was detained. at Her J..:?.jest~r',s I)1easure, vvhether there was a co1.1 .. nty asylum to ·which they could send the persono Bedlam, the first hos2_)ita1 desiFnate0. for the crimina1lv ins~:.ne was reouested to take only~ the most clanzerous, A i~aUonal Survey -in 1837 shcr.vecl the.t of the 178 persons detained at Her Majesty's Pleasure only 40 vvere in local e;aols. The others were ei.. the:C' j_n Bedl2.m or scattered amone; the c01mty asyhuns. '?v) 1856 of the 596 c:rhninal lunatics only 22 ·.vere i.n c:aol. 5 H, Verbal communication Dr. P. Houston, Prison l~eclica.l Se;:vice.

rsycJ.1.i.at:r:'Ic b.osp:Ltal on the comp1etto~n of certi .. fj __ cates

1')y i.?..vo doctors, 1:1 the J~orm of 8- Scb.ec11;_lr~ !_n·r::.:-ee ~

Hov,rever, for those who ~cesponO. well to medicatj_on or v-/ho

are mental.ly ciistufbed rather tl,an me:ntally ill, transfer

ca.ses the prisoner may be ceTt.i.f.ted. "by orl.e docto7.' but may shovv .insuf.:l:lcient observable sj __ gns of mental illness at

the time of the second mr~dic8.l :Lnter·view,. The d.octor is

then unable to compl-:-:1te the seco'!~.d sched1..J.le and thus the

requ.:l.remerli~s for.· transfer to psychiat:t'ic ~ospi tal are not

fulfilled.

3,12 There are i.nd:i.cations·)c that some. G.P.s wouJ .. d be

more sui teJ)ly J:lliJ.ced in rsychi.e.tric hoS}li .. tals, yet they

are either not transferrE:~d or long de1ays are ex1;erienced

before the transfer. These ad.'ili.nistrs.-tive problems may

well result from uncle2.r criteria relatine; to the transfer

of prisoners,

3 o 13 P:eiscro.ers wl1o s:re not meY!tally dj_stu:r.Oed on receptlo~n.

or who reSJlond well to mecUcati on move into the general

:prison :population and. subsequently come l)efore the

01assificati.on Corm:1i ttee o

3~~ 14 The Life Sentence Revievl Committee j_nclud.es GoP~s i3J

.its area of responsi.b:Ll.i ty. The committee's role in the

rev1ew process is cliscusserl i.11. parae:rarhs 3 ~~21 o The

Comm.i ttee 1 s ma.in focus is on investigating and recommending

suitable educs.tional and. there.peutic p:cogrammes, which also

includes recommend.c-\tions for movement be"b.veen institutions.**

(b) Heal t11 Cor:-:.rni sst on o:f N.,. S. ·,_v Q

3,15 There are three psyehiat:dc institutions in N,S.W,

which are involved. in the care and treatment of G.P.s.

These e.re Rozelle Hospital ( fo:cmerly Calla.n Park),

Horisset Psychiatric Fospi ta.1 anil. ParraJ'l'l.tta Psychiatric

Hospital w~1ich accepts female G.P.s. Tbese hOSIJ:itals

---· ------------------- ---------x- Verbal cormnu.nicatj_on wi.t~h Probat_ion and Pa.Tolc staff.,

X--)( The Coi''ni ttee comprises senior manap·ement personel, a psychiatrist, a psychologist a...rJ.d a social worker (senior probatfon and parole of'::"icer

-16-

:p::covi.f.~..e a of security con0j

Dj_:r·c--!ctor Tefe:cs recoD~mendc.ti.ons :for, any 0?.ctlvi t~r outside

mz~dJc;sl

J !.\C":tl

CP~(' C-011(: the medical

3$·17 The apr)J:oach to tb.e manae·(~n•.e11.t of G.,Pcs i.n the

psycJ.1:Latric. settix-l.f\ is sj_milar to th8 ma~0e.gern.011.t of o·ther

me:o:Ce~.-11y ill. Ila.ti.e:nts except for the cJ.ofH:::c SlJ _ _per-\:rieion by

th8 .. J?rincipal Adviser)' Mental Heal t!J. co Th5J3 ari>l'O£:tC}"! is OD.e

of cont:i:nual a.ssessmerrt res1J.lt:Lr1.e in a e;radual rnovement

to-wards rednced. P)ecuri ty condit,tons and placement; 5_n

si tue,:tions ~,;vJ.1eJ:e their social skills ancl i.ndj_vidvc;.l co:::i·ng

skills can 'be developed and tes-ted., This system of hiJ.:cdleE)

may include transfer. to m-ixed open wards E1..nc1. more demand.ine

work si.tuations 2.s well as movement 5.nto- the corr.r:n;n.ity for

eml)loyme::1t, soetctl and fe.mily eonte.cts.

3,18 The de.i ly observe.tion ])y :rsyclliatr:Lst and staff allows

a profile of the :particular stresses which· cause breakdovm

or regression to·be worked out for each individual.

Since each hospital contains f:o.cilities for varyinc; levels

of development a pat:i.ent can be called back when new stresses

are seen to cause adverse effects.

-17-

(c) DetentJ.on in "i~Pland

3 o 19 The hospital to 1Je specified in the Home Secret8.ry' s

warrant can either oe a "spec:Lal hospi.ts.l"x- or a local

mental hoGp:LtaJ..o The J.'fental J-Tealth Act 1959 placed the.

three specj_ h.os~)j~ tals un(l.er the direct manag~e:ment of the f..linistry of Health so ·that ·there is no sharine; o.f

manat:emen-1.:; of mentaJ.1y ilJ~ o:f.fe:n.d.ers .. ** r.ae general princip1.e

ad.opted. in s:9ed.fyinc; a specia1 hospi.tcll as the p1ace of

deteJ1.tio:n is a "last resor-tn po15 .. cy 11after all othr-:r ·b•l•t•) b -~' •tll"(7) l)OSSl l ___ l ·les 1ave een consJ"f .. :.eJ~ea unsuJ_-~,:;t,)_ e ..

3. 20 It i.s consid.ered desi:~able for a patient j_n a special

hoBpi.tz.,l to £;0 to a local :psycf.t1at!'iC }:lOS pi tal before being

disc:he.rged 5.nto the commun.i ty <::tnd j_n the me.jo:ci ty of cases

tl:ds l)ract.tce is adopted I> (

8 ) ~Phe Bnt1er Report cornmented

on some di.ff'tculties tn effectinc- tb.ese t:cansfers; one of

the :reasons {';i ven was lack of secure :faciJj_tj.es in the loeal

hosyitals, ( 9 ) On the whole, the 1959 l1enta1 Health Act is

considered to De Sl1.ccessful j_n relation to the tree"tment of mentally ill offenders. (lO)_

(a) De1;e.~s:tment of Co:c>rect5. ve Services, H .. So ~y .. .. ,-~---------------·--~ ..... -~----

3.21 Unc1er legislative IH"O\risio11.s~ revj_e\v fo:c G .. P~

p:cisone:rs is a matter for tb.e Parole Boar<1 v:hich can -repoT?t

to the lLi.nister, o:--1 the conthrued detention of a G.P., whenever it co-::J.siO.e:r:s it is app:r.~og::c1ate.. In FeDr,_;_ary 1969

a policy was introduced t}}e.t reyj ev.rs be: tnj_tiated. by a

referral :r-·rom the Tili.nister of ,Justice on the advi.ce of the

departmental I,ife Sentence Review Ommnittee. The I,ife

Sentence Review Sommittee the:D. e:Dsures that up to date

psychiatric reports are submitted for considerati.on 'oy the

Board,

-------------------* sr,ecia1 hos:9i ta1s are for menta11y i.11 patients who,

because of da.:neerous or c~cin1j.:na1 prope:n.s:i.ty are not sui table for placement in local psychi.at:;:i_c hoSliitals. Broadmoo-r spec.ia1i.ses in mentally ill Ol' psychopathic patients whose i.ntelH;;;ence is averace or hic;her and the otheT tvvo hos}!ltc1s tr:::tke patients i.Vi th some desree of subnormality or brain dama.e;e.

**Prior to 1959 tte special hospitals were the responsibility of the Prison Service.

-18-

3 .. 22 ~eh~ generP..J.. :)clicy i.s to rt.;view at twelve m.onthJ..y

tencc ?evJ.ew Oom;;J.ittee

as soon ::?,.s ross:Lble after

and the ce..se shoulcl be rAsuhr::Ltted ct:t th::ee o:c six month1y sh.m,_ld not lJe lon,.er

"' tha~n t'Nelve months e In _p::r·c.tct.:i.ee each c;~_se neE;cls to be in1J.ivld.1Jally constd.e::cecl in te:cms of the meJ'ltaJ. hea.1th of

the GeP. a:0 .. d the risl: to soclety if he '~Here to be 2?elea~seCJ.¢

3 ~23 The flo 1N of comrnunica-'c:Lo~n.s betwee~n. the eov~~rrtment

agencies involved. j_n the :cevievi process ts rerresented

below,

3 '-~ 24 The Pr:.role ?.>oarc1 may review a G ~J? ~ V!ithout 2. rec:uez3t

.from the T·.,Li.niEJter a?Jd i.n isolated. cases tJ1.e BoaTd uses

this preroc:ative" Sim5.larly, in cases \vhere t}:e :nP:w

:r-evievv elates set l)y the Board aYl.(:l t~h.e J~ife Se:~J.tence

Reviev:r Co::'"l.rn.i ttee coinc:Lde s- a re(1uest for nev1 rev.tev7 .from

th.e l~inister is not :necessary~

3.25 G.P.s who are releasec1 from custoc1y are relee.secl on

concH tions in the form of e. li.cence. 'J:'he licence contains

e. number o:f universal conditions 1'lut acJ.rU.t.ional conditions

!:~ay be add. eo. if it 5 s seen as necessary. The duration of a

11cence is _1.Jsually flve years for those vlho have oommi.ttec1

serious offences and three years for lesser offences. A

person on licence can be returned to custody for breaking

any conditions of the licence, in the event of

psychiatric breakdown or for corr:mitt.ing another offence.

Return to custody means retur-n to prison, in the first

instance, even if the reason for revocation is based on

psychiatric grounds.

recomrn enc1.3. tj_on .for release

-~ Mtn5.r.-·.;tr::::e I

recommend~_tio:o

for :r:·eJ.es.s.e

l

-19-

Dept~ of 0o:r·recti.ve Se~~~vices l.:i.~fe Senten.c(~ ~~evj_evt Cor1m:LttPe

" ' . I ~ . recomsenr:;.a CJ.on J or ~c-evlew

.t

.,j,

·tice and ServicPRj

I reCJ..t)_est for advic~

1

3oard!s -recorrfr:1~n t5J!!:: 2-::~_·:::d.nst re1ee.se & ~0ev:r revies dr-\te;

Committee 1 8 reeotn.mer:u:1:?,.t:i.oTt 8( --r:>Rvie\'1 (l.s.te :Lf in clis;::,e:~ceement wj_ th :3o 0 .:Cd

..---t I Cor:m:I.S~l~:.rn·!1·:;:c]

Board rs rec;ommenrJa·t::i .. o21 & nc:·:'r :-:Pvj __ ew elate Commiss5.oner~s Col!llllents, if' aey, and new review date if in disagreement

v

order for releas~ endorsed on ltcence.~ /

lr::::J_::o:L:_:tc~1-~::_U:_3:s2.i~.o~:r~·:.e::_-.. ::::.:_lt-·--- ne\v review date -------'

I sent to D el;c~.:ctmenl:Js Co:c::(•esto:nclenc e

licence Sect:Lon, ForwarCleil. J to Boa:co. at a later date*

community

-20-

3 c26 A patie:a.t vd .. thin the me~J.tal r_\_ealth system j.s unde:e

contin.u8.,l review Q The :r:n:ooc::carnme fo:r a patler1.t j_s b.:?~.sc-::1

ox1. the Hmu1tj_IJ1e hu.rc11eu ap})roa.ch c1i.SC1:t_ssed i:n.

pa.rc:..::_:J.:·aphs 3 Q 17 - 3¢18 ~ TJ:1is e.yyn:-oach li~ecessi tc1tes

const2.1Jt :revievv a.:-1d assessroe:n.t by the med.ic?.l o:E'f'icer ..~vo

determine v:then the pat:i.ent is ready for th.e next ste~l'

3, 27 'r.he Mental Health Act I 958 only }Jrovides for the detention of 1_1ersons ~ SlJ.bject to be 1-'H::l(l .1.n C"tJ.stoc1y, i:n

psychis.ti'i.C institutions whi. .. le they a~ce rn.e:n:t.a.11y ill o

Sb.ou1d the lTente.l Health r?ri bu::n.al or tJ1t.:: Pri:ncilJftl .A.clv:Lser,

Mental Health dec:1r'.:te the I>a r"n.t no

mentally i11 1 vv:L t}Jin the te:t:'Tl!fJ of the Act~ the })a tieT~ .. t 5.s

retuT:r"t8d to :;risono

3, .28 The Act reCJ.ll.'i:r.es that persons tn1cJer det(;;nti.or:t be

tb.e CL"!ribun::J. at the exl;ira.ti.o-q .. of 2. six

thouc:h the ~2ri.hu.neJ. takes :i .. nto a.ccot.:rr:.t

med.ical :r:c~ports it does not alvia.ys fo11ow t:he ·medical

office:r·ts x·eccr:J.menda .. tionB{\ If a. G~-P~ j_s declared to be no

longer mentally ill, the decision nay result j.n :return to

prison and.. co:osE~(:ue~n.t1y an interrll})tion of a gracluat~~a.

·:~lte commrtnj_ ty o

The 1\Tenta1 }Teal th Tr:t 1)Una1 is pri.mc::n:-j.J_y concerned vvi th the

issue of mental 5.l1:ness a:nO. not with the issue of :pote:ntial

d ~ r--"'11C'Ylf".:J.'""S ., +hr>' 8..:-r···)~n'Jit· 0'Y' 4-,c-,.·-.,,r·o .r:o '""n0 e..~ .. o~ .. •·-'···--··-;::;' ana ,, , .. Qe~ ... ~._.c..., d. __ y, -·- Ol·.nv.k,,:t...._.e, Ol

release of offenders into the corr1munj. ty (see Section

5 (h) ) '

3 o 29 Bowevc~r, if it is j_n the inte:::-Ast of the :9atient the

TriblU1.~?.1 h::.ys : J ... n sorn8 cases, a~:reed to allovJ a l)ati_ent to

remain in the mental 5_nsti tution beyor)_(J. the pe:ci..od of overt

ment<::-1 i.llness. * A number of pettients h8.ve, in fact, been

released directly into the comnru.n5.ty from I;Torisset

Ps;ych.i.8.tric Eos:9l tal. Another two !:Jatients are cu:r:reT·_tJ .. y

1mder ooYls5.de2'ation for 'reler,,ge froN Rozelle Hospital~-*

--------------·---* Verbe.l Comnnmic2.tion, medical officer, Rozelle ~iospi t2.1. **Out of 55 released G.P.s, 9 have been released from

psychiatric hospital. (see table 4.2)

-21-

3 o30 If G~P~s :r·emaj.n :Ln h.OSJ)i tal follo·a5.ng tb_e f.;lente~l

Health ~r::r:·:Lbune~1 assessment the su1;erintende::tt is

resroYts:Lb1e foT GlJ.1)seq'lH:rnt reviev1" A mec1Jca1 report :Ls

submitted. by the rnec1:Lca1 officer ~~-:nd i.f the:ce is a Clif.fere:n.ee o.f Ollinion bet\V8(3n the st.:t}!eJ.::-.:Lrt"l~f~ndent and t"he

med.ical of fie er, ot"h.er psych:i..E-ttric opiJJj_o:r.!.s <::.re rec:;_ue::~~ted ..

A final recorrunendP.t:lon iR sent to -t}l.e Principal Adviser,

!1 en tal 'Ileal th. In the case of release or

variati.on tn tb.e Gover!loJ:· t s Order b.e sencls the recomrr!.end.­

ation to the I:Jlnister of ITe8v1th and. sub,sequently to tl-.e

Governo:r «'

3 ~31 Pc:.:rsons ~.celeased f:eom psych5.at~c-ic institut:Lons 23.'e

released on l:i.ce:nce as described :Ln ~~)are.e;ra,Ilh 3 .,38.. In

3 ce.scs patients v.rere relec:.secl on HJ.ee.ve of absencen

effect eel by a va:cJ..atlon i:n the Govei'no:c r s v1ar:ra:nt.,

3 .,32 Since all Her J\~ajesty~ s Plef?.Sl)_:r:e cases in t"Jng1ar:.d

are detained in m.e:ntal hospitals the review is enti:r"<ely

within the mental health systemo

3,33 It is not com}mlsor3r for cases to be bToueht he:fore

the Mental Health Tribunal but as already stated in

parae:raph 2,15 patients, including lX?.tjJmts in s:pec:tal

hospitals, may ap})1y to the ·Trihun.al for revie•N \Yj. thin

the six months from the elate of order and ever·y six nonths

thereafter. The patient's nearest relative has the right

to apc)ly to the "J'ribunal once in tJ:e fj_rst twelve months

and once a year there~:tfter. The Tribunal acts in e.n

ac1visoTy c8.}Jaci ty to the Home Offj_ce.

3. 34 Fol' SIJecj_al hospi t2.1 cases, t'-',at have been c1assifieiJ.

as needing special care in a.ssessme:e1t, the Home Secrete.ry

is assisted by an Advisory Board. The Board comprises s.

legal chairme.n, a forensic psych5Htrist and a re11resentat:Lve

of the social work profession, The Butler Rerwrt recommended

certain modific2.tions and. extensions to this Advisory

Board.C11

) Firstly, all restricted patients in the special

hos:pi ta1s should be referred to an arpro:r:>riately

constituted adviso:!'y board ana. th8 advisory 1)0(-'.rd should be

available to thP Home Secretary and to the responsible

medica1 officer in cases in local :psychiatric hospi tal_s.

-22-

Secondly, the ,J.d-v-.isory bo~:;,rr1 shou.1d be :i.nvoJ:ved in

p:r'O!>NoD.ls to the Home Secretary· to transfer restricted

hospital patients to local psychiatric hoepitals, to grant pa t1e:nts leave o::c to dj~schaT~c;e them into the comrrnJ.Il.i t~1 "

patiP-Tt"l~.s t:oro\1~1n.O"tlt the pel"'i.od 01' SUJJer·\ris:i.on a.:nr:~ shol:.Jcl

be o1v~(l. ir the rr,:-;cr.;J .. l of any ,q,,~ch lV4.ticn:··!'"l~ ..

(d)

3. 35 Jn tt.te l;ast :fi '.Te years ·tf:LG rrcoviJtees he~v(;, mover:J.

to'ivaT·ds esta.bJj_sh} .. ng fo::ern.E>,l Oo.:u:-cJ.s o:f review cn1d seve:11

p:rov:i_·_o,c.es have estab1ishe·:l ~ooa:cd.s lJ.ndex· e }1 edera.l

Criminal Coc1e * 'l:vto otber lrr.'ovJnces have c:reated. !)o~.?~:.I?cis

und.e:c rrcovinc1? .. l acts, VT}d_ch fulfil vj __ rtua.1ly the S2)Je

funct:Lons, but o:;Je })rovince has no 1.)oard e

3.36 In Ontarj_o, the Hev5.evv Bo?.:ril is c:reateu. uncler ·'(he

1)rovinc:Lal 1-~enta,l Health !~ct and. :re,.rievJ is OT1ly once a

year instead o_f the~ s:Lx monthly r-ev:i .. ew Teq_uj_red. 5.n

federal legj_slation~

3 ~ 3'7 The -revJ.evv J?rocedur:·e ad.opt8c1 in OJ1t2.rto is b:;:·i .. efly

as fo11ows·x-. A caGe conference is held j_n the hoe:oital

whe:~e the offencl.e:c is a.etaJJJ.t?.d~ '-'r}1ich :i.s atten.0.ed by

medlcal staff 1:rrvo1ved in -the ce~s'"~ e,.,ncl thr.; Cli:rd..cal

Dtrector. Tl1e e.dvice of i.ndepeD0.ent psychiat~cists is

sousht ·when it is cons:l.dereCl necessa:..-:y. A legal offj_c.el:

writes a submission cor.J.tai.ni:n.e: the determi:n:::J.tion o:f the

case conference for the :Boaril. of ?<eview, The hearing

before the Board is he1d in the office of: the Chief

t..,Tustj_ce at "~Nhich the patient may a2pear or "be represented.,

Witnesses may be ca.11ed. The Boarc1's recm"Jmendation,

which requi.res a four-fifths majo:r·i.ty, :Ls sent to the

Lieutenant-Governor through the Minister of H.ea1 th,

3.38 G.P.s in prison are released to the cODJnunity on

1icence under tl1.e supervision of the Probation anrl Pe.role

Service. The licence col'tai.ns een0ral col' eli tions as to

p1ace of residence, reporti.ng to the supervisine officer

* Verbal communicat5.on Dr, P, Houston,

-23-

a.nd notj __ fyiT:t::~ cha;:1ges i:n. erD.}Jlo;;rrnent ?.nd. :ces:i.d(~~n_ce ~ The:

licence rrt<),.y also coTt.tai.:n. :?·.<l(lj_-Gj_onaJ c12-J)_ses for :p8-rticnla:c

inc1.iv.i.c1ua1s.. These cov.ld be clanser:~ :rc~rtai:ni.n.:::: to

2.bsti.nence from elooho]_ or r.eqv.irtne; the lieenoee to att<.md for psych::Latrlc t~eeatr:•1er1t$ USi)_ally at-; a co:mmu.:rd.ty cliT1ic ..

Some :!:J~f*isoners are released. on lj_celtce vri th -tl"u.-; cond.lt:i .. on

that tJ"ley ac1mt t them.selves 8 .. 8 volunta:::y r)ati.ents i.nto a psychiatr5_c insti tnt:Lort." This is usu.a11y for a rer5.od of

:cesocj .. al.ization and gra..c1ue.1 rej_n.t:r:·oduction into the

community<)

3v39 G~P.cs he~ve also been released o~n licence from 1-1orisset

Psychi.a.t:cic Hos1)5_ te.l uncle"~:> t1v~ B2.m.e co:nd1 tj_o:o.s 8B out1:Lned.

a Dove~ .Some ca..ses have a1so bee::n. :released :from :L\orisset on

Health Comrnj_ssj.on fo::r: su:ce.T·vis1on }ll.J.I'lJoses '~' Leave Of

abserY~e has been for a re:r.~5 .. ocl of two yea:cs aftAr wh.i.ch

a:pJ)licatj_on has 11eeT·1 made to the Gove~cnor, through the

T:'Lin5.ste;:: of Health, for termine.t:Lon of the Go\re;:':no:r· t s

warr?.rtt.,

~I:he followi:n.e; tables aTe

of 5.nform8.tj_o:.1 is d. en.ta1 :reco~:.:ds

insta.:rv:es a~r.-e irtcorrl.!!1ete 0 A11 ();;'.l.sic d8.t(?, Jv.:~.s "'oee:r; checked

\Vi tb. poJ_j_ce :reco:rc1s <>

4.,2~ Tht~ f:i.1es of 121 G~?~s knovrn. to h::\ve been :cccpj:ve<J.

Tota.l G~P .. s in r):cison

G .. P~s j:;:! 1)8"-:-c}iJ.r-:..:~r·ic >(>s·.')_1te.J.s - -~-·......._·--·--·-----·-··~·-

J.~o:cisset

VlcG:d 21

W 3.:·.-:c1. 1 9

Vhrc1 i 7

(rr10d,.

(!"~·n ' '~ ... !... -· ~ ...

securit-y)

secnrity)

Rozelle: Eos~p5. tal

We .. rcl. 2 ( mP.r:l () s ecrr::~i. ty)

Wa.T·cl 20 (minfl secu:r.j_ty)

Re11~l t:c1:-?. t j .. o:-1. ~7 a:ccl

Pa:::-:·r·:::u:~:J.t~::a Fosrl:Lta1 (females)

Tot2.l G .:P. s j_n psyc1:1.i..atric 1_~i.OSl)ital

Total G.P.s in custody

2.

12

i

22 -

5

5 4-

8

5 1

-

Current first licence Licence expired

-25-

Total released from prison

~'?;;sed. .. .J:qo2:!! .. ~~-.21.!2£ll?i!iS1

Under Mental Defectives Ad 1 On licence 4 To inter-state psych.ia trio hos:pi tal 1 Lsa.Ye of absence __l

Total released from psychiatric hospital __2,

Currently in prison Died in prison c-v.rrently in psychiatric hospital Released to :psychl.atrio hospital

Total released and reYoked

Total released G.P.s.

4 1

2 1 _,

4.3 Of the twenty-three whose licences have expired nine are k:rwvm to have completed. successfully. Records of the other fourteen licensees are at Sheas Creek GoYerr~ent Repository. It is most likely that all of these completed licence vri thout further i.ncident •

.:;;~.;;;<!:;.;;;b.;;;l;.;;;e . .._.1..::•.:::3~·-....... c""l"'a""s""s""i"":f""i;..;;c;,;;a;..;.;t ieE of Ou. t comes for R emai:n5:;!)£ G • P. s

Died in psychiatric hospital Deported committed suicide in prison Sentence changed to life by appeal Trial leave, discharged from court

-26-

Total in :prison Total in psychiatric hospital Total released Total of other outcomes

22

29

49

.21 121 -·

4.4 The total of released G.P.s (49) excludes six G.P.s released a.nct revoked and who a.re counted in the present population of G,P,s in custody.

Offence committed while on licence Recommended by psychiatrist Breach of conditions of licence:

- not reporting to Parole Ser1tice,

1

2

not attending psychiatric clinic 2 - unable to be located by Parole Service

did not abstain from alcohol 1

- suicide attempt, failure to co-operate with Parole Service 1

Unknovm 1 -8

4.5 The offence committed by the G.P. on licence was murder and the ~vo G.P.s who were revoked on the recommendation of a Psychiatrist had made threats to kill.'

1tiurder Murder -

-·27-

Offence -~"'

77

attempts 13 threats 1

Manslaugh·~er 1 Assaults -

major 11

minor 2 Acts endangering life -

arson (person therein) 2 other* __l

Total l:wmicides$ assaults and like offences 108

Attempted rape Indecent assault on female -

und.er 10 years under 16 years

Total sexual offences

!:t.,?,~~:..JL~t!&.BJ2flence~

Robbery -with assault

Total robbery and e:J~.-tar"tion offences

Pro;perj;y O;ff3~

Break, enter and steal Larceny Injury to property -

arson (person not therein) property over $10

Total property offences

Total all offences

1

1

2 ---

2 -2

1

1

4 1 -7 -

121 -* Discharge a loaded firearm w1th intent to prevent apprehension.

-28-

4.6. The G.P. who v'as convicted o:f break, enter· a;ud S 0Geal., among other offences, was not committed to a G.P. term on the grounds of mental illness. After sentence had been :passed

he was declared an habitual criminal and ordered to be held at the Governor-GeneraJ. is pleasure. This decision was made in the Australian Capital Territory.

Tj.me Number -" """"""'"'"""''"""""~

Under iy ~~~

1y < 2y 7 2y< 3y 8

3Y< 5y 9:• 5Y< 8y 7 8y< 10y 6 10y ana. over ~ Total 46 -Average length of time in custody Shortest term

5 years 1 month 3 months

Longest term 1'1 s year

4 .1. The total o:f tLP .s released includes released and revoked G.P.s but excludes G.P.s released from psychiatric hospital as the dates of release are not kno~~. (9 cases out of a total 55 released sho;v.n in Table 4.2)

Time Currently in Currently Total .~!2h•, J-:os,E.~rison_ perso111!

under 1y 3 3 6 1y 2y 2 7 9 2y 5y 4 i 5 Sy 10y 7 3 10

10y 14y 9 1 10 14y and over _2~ 3 __2___,

Total 27 18 45

4.8 The total of forty-five G.P.s excludes the six G.P.s in custody who have been released and revoked.

-29-

Sc.:::ev.i..ces c te some o.f t11e d.i .. ff1c·n1t5.es that ca;.::l i)e e:xr)e··ci.eri.c :i.r1.

lra:plernenti~n.g t~he Gove~~'"'-:~.or t s o:r·c1er 1:1 a ~v~n2 .. 1 sett:i.n .. c.. The

sur:E:1.f::1..:t:'1es are 1-:~e.sed on t:b .. e clera:et:;!lSr!tal :C":Lles of

prisonerso

(b)

5c2 Mro Bo Vl!:lS helc1. at T:Io:c.i .. s,set as U11.fit to plead for

e i '""'~·•t -~-e"rs "Jl"~-.:: l 1-.. 1· ~ ",--,.,1· ~ 1 J. -...... "t 073 S1· ~ ... ce. l• ... J·_,_ +,,_._i ..... • .•. ·,_-_,_ '_,t(-l, ·_, •. _,_.:: .. s .. · ..--t: ..... , ..; " . .._ .• __ , r ... ·'· "'-'--~ ·"'· .o '-\ . . v ..... ... u. :; Q , J; . _ - , _ • , ~~ _,

rem.aj_necl i:n ~p:cison~ cJ.i:t16S most o:f the t1rne at G·olJ_11)urn

sj_nce i 975 ind.ice.te that he has sh.ow11 co?J.Si(1erab1e

imJ:;rovement c~.nd stability i! It is recosrn.lzed, ho'.7(n>er, th.e.t

should medication be rem.oved th~_:,_t he wou1cl 2.5ai:n be0omc

1J ovc·hotic Psychiatrj .. c lntervcrnti.on in. thj.s ca .. se dernonstrc.tes ... <.)'"' • .. . .... .. -

d.iffe:cent :psychi2.tric OI)in.ions 1n. the tr~-;atme:n.t of psychosis~

It was reconmended. by a psych:i_,,,tr·ist, onts.i.il.e the P:d.son

I,1ecl.ical Service, in 1973 that rir. B, be trscnsfer:ced. to a

psychiatric inst1tution for nmore active treatmentn, The

Ollinion of tl-e pr.is0n psychiatrist was tha,t there was no

cure for M.r. B. 's concl.i tion a21cl. coulCI. see :no acl.vant8:ce i:n

transfer. Recommendat:i.ons fo!' t"7ansfer to a psychia,tric

hospital hP-ve more recentJ.y been made by the I,ife Sentence

Review Oommi ttee and SU}):,c')ortecl. t>y the Parole Officer. The

prison psychiatrist ma:i.ntaj.ns his or.igi:n.al view.

(c) JTr. J. (mu-rder. H ov, 197:4-)

5.4 Mr. J. was admittea. to the observation section at J,ong

Bay following his arrest a'.'ld. has remained there as a swee:per

·>E- Date of couvictio:n

-30-

altb oue;h no 1onc:er for m.e<l:.tc2l o:.r c·ustodia1 I'(~aso:ns ~

IvTr., ~J ~ res];)ond.ec1. I}"U.iekJ..y to m.e<.1:.i .. c::3-tj .. o:n foJ.' !"liS })3 .. T2XlOi.d

5 .. 5 .:\lthou.e:h :r:eiJor-ts t:rvJJ.cate tJ~.c~ .. t he is re~:\sone.l)1.y

conte11t s statern~::;nts mad.e l)y }ffr o J., indtc2 .. te that lt.e th.:i.nks he >rv'iJ..J. OYtl.y need:. to serve a short tj_r::e tn lJr:Lson ~

Iv!ro J" states "'Ghat l'te 1vas told by hj .. s solj ... citOl" that :h.e

WOlJ.ld be t:re_y);:.fe~cred to l~To:c:tsset :Fsychi_~-' .. t~r·ic Hosrital

wi thtn a mont;b of th,:; -t·,]::-j_al ancl e.t the exyi -r.·at.i.on of this

t:i.me 1J.e enc,:uLr:;:~d. of the }):ci::Jot.l psycldJ:'.t::cist wheY'~ }!(~ 7to-u.1c3.

be transferred(\ L'lr o tT ~ st~:\tes the.t the re];)Jy v;as ths:t he

wouJ.d not 1)e tT'8.ns:ferrecl. to a psychiatric }·LoS])j_ taJ as he

t.T" concl::..1.des that s:Lnce he

is no loneer consi.dered m~ntally ill and s e he v:as :fo·~)nd

re1ee .. se~

becominc

3\rj .. clence~'<~ j .. :n.•.1:Lcates ?. '.

more p::ee"':r'~18Xlt 8JD.o .. n.g in

perh2.JlS this :::ef1ects tbe t:~ro\vi:nc:, concern i'oT i~0di 'r.id.ue.l

richts tl1::::ol..J.Chout th.e co·:·:·lm.IJ_nj_ty f•enerally 10

(d)

a life sentence but this was changed to a Governor's

Pleasure te1:m ·by the Court o:" Criminal A}):oeal :i.n l\:ay ·1975,

M:r o F Q vvas rei.~-GT·ned to I~o:rtg Ba.y after the t:r"5_ci.l v.:nd

t:ca11sfe:c:red to the 0 ~B .. .s j) Section·:+* beea1).Se of hj_s refusal

to take medication~

5 e 7 T,~r 0. p e was diag:t"J.OSBd. as a chronic sch:LZOlJhrenic 2.n0 ..

Temained I.JSycJ:.otic fo:2 a. consi.de~catJle arr.ou.nt of tin.e even

thoueh he v.ras :recei.vi2:._c: medication e A Parole R.epo;:'t of

"' ? ., O.isyJ .. ayed n general lack o:f

* Verb2.l comnun5cati.on, :r··obati..on and Parole O:ffi.C(or

->*--* 01)servation s~.-~c-tlon, IJone Bay Gom:-s)lex.

-·31-

2.}!}1T0I-'T5. affect in his reactions

be a s:J.tciJ.e risk.. r.che Ts.::-:oJ.e O.ff:Lcer recor:::rr: ed.

transfer:· to a mctxim\)J:n secu:ci:ty :0sychie.tT~LC 1::-.ospj.talo

J\,Ir c F ~ irn]")roved suff:Lci eJJ..tljr 5.n tb.e en:3<J.i.::n.c months i:.o be

t~ca!J.Sfe:r.~:recl 01.:tt of the OoT3,.S., sectio:::1 8-Ytd £·J.J:t:}1Ctt.gh he :i.s

said ·to :no lon-::e:'? s!::.o'H a~.y ove~r·t~ })B~;,rcl:ot.j.c sym:;:i:.oms he

1?emai11s slo-·.:v and :cet8.J~decl ..

5 .,8 e T' ~ is a Kevt Zeale:r.:(lsr ar-1.C1 the na t.te:c of his

deporta:tion is at }"J:cesent v.ndcr COY".tSj.rJe:::-ati.on by tl1.e

Immi:SI'8.t5.on :DepaTtn1ent ~ ISr~ 7 is not l.lable for

del)ortcttion tn1Cte:c· Sectio:r1. 12 of the Imm:i.e,::catj_orJ. Act as he

J..s not co.,_;victed o.f a cr.·imi:na1 offen.ce a:n.d he has not bet~:!.

t:\dmi tted to a psychie.tr.i_c hos~1.i ta1" The only section u~n(~_e:c

\vh:icb ~h.e can De d.erorter1s w1.Jj.J_e h.e ren<:·d .. ns l1:1. :rxriso:.n., is

Seet:i. on 14 of the Act V·r1: .. ir;h gJJ..o~ns ::~or !!LmCtes.i.rahle ]!e:csor:.s 11

to be dero:rted(l The case h?.s been refe~red to tht; I..-TJ .. n.iste~c

of Immie:~catio:n fo:c foT'liEtl dt:~·ectlo:fl_ BJ1fl such a cl.ec:i.sio~l rnay

ta1(e severe.l mont}J.s" ~Che psych:Lat~cic rer)oJ.::-ts from tl1e

p~cison ind1cate ~-<- StJpr>o:ct fo:c d.epoJ ... tat:Lon on the concl.i t:i.oY:.

that he is admitted to a psychiatrj_c hos11:Ltal OYl a..:-crival .in

New Zealand ..

5.9 It is d5.fficul t to ascertain why r:r.. 11., has not been

, transferred to e. psychts.tric hoSlJi tal since hj_s trj .. a1 ~

Both mar:e.t,~ement aXH'l d erJortati on would seem to be mo~ce

apyropriatc-:1y ha:1dJ..ed i.n Sl..i.ch a sett111Le

(e)

5,10 Ilr, S. quickly remitted from his yaranoiil. scJlj_sO})lJJ~enic

condition wj_th meclicat5.on. In Sept. 1976 Mr, s. was

exa.minecl by a consultant ysych.iatr.ist w:i.th a view to

comi)leting a Schedule Three for transfer. to a

psychiatric hospitaL Althoue:h the doctor was convb1.ced

that M::ce S~ WEtS sttll schiZOlJhrenic he V!CJ.S un8.b1e to compl~~te

a Schedule Three as he v;as not acti ve1y psyc:botic at the

time of examination. He v;as therefo:ce not ab1e to be

transferred to a :psych.iatric hospital,

-32-

o S~ was recornmGndei for ~e~ortation back to his family in t Germany 1Yn.t depo'"('t:::1.tlon vu1s 1."'.ot pos~~:i..l;Jle a.s

he VIas :not co1;.v·icted. o.f (.1. cr:i.mina1 offe:I:!ce ~ nor we .. s he

provided the non ey fo:.:- hi.s passa.z.c as tbi.ti 'l!as tl;e OYJ1y.

means of securiJlC release~ He was released into the custoCty of a :E'i:~t:rnily friend verba GSco:::-tE~c1 him OJ1 thr:; :f.Jj_r,~ht

\Vht~:r'e he :fotu:1r:l. :.t dif:fic•Jlt to contl"01 hitJ ilYiJJv.lses to

reta l:Ls.:te o

5" 13 J.~ro K~ .is at present J .. ocated at Ber:ri..010- Yrhi.ch. see:ns

to 'be the 1nost al)lJTO~)J:?i2;,te of the:: J)r1sons in vt~1icJ:1 :he has

l)een })1aced, o.lt}'}ough he is still Sl:tlJjt3Ct to a co:n __ sj_d~:rabJ.e

amount of tatnJ.tin.c c

5. 14 }'sychia

j_)J. the

re no·r· ..~... (1<a·rch .... "" ti ·'··~· -- -- ~ 1976) by <m

examir:t.atj_on of vrhat can be done to find. mo:ce snltB .. ble

plcwerHmt w5.thin the ooD.rli.tions o:P the Gov0rnor 1 s Pleasure

warrant,

5.15 ~2heTe seems to be few places where 2. })e:r'son su<:h as

1-:Ir C> K 0 can be suitably pla.cecl.. ILLs fam1ly are not j::nte-r.ested

in h5 s welfare and he reqy5.res the care and supervision tho.t

would be offered by a concern eel fam5.1y environment. It may

be noted 1 however, that pa.tients Vlith varying dee;rees of

retard.ation cor,st.i.tute the ms.jority of the lone term

popul&.tion at M.orisset Psychiatric Hospital and this settine:

may o:ffer an alternattve for mentally defect).ve G,P,s.

-33-

(e) J,Tr ~ ~r. o r rl_;~_ll1 rJJ:rr-; to r:~eo·cJer·t:\r .-! . .'n exr;(::~!r:; of ;~ 10 ~ ~ .:\tu~ .. 1 ~J71) -··--·~--.....\~ .......... --~---"----' -----·-'"'----··-·------~-'"""'"·----~~-·--·-"---

c -s S.Lnce 1JJ.s offence he h::\s bee~n. <:~secl on licence which was revoked for not reporting to his Probation and J)e:rol.e Of~fj_cG).~

Sl)ent after

12 mOJ' ln RoZ<:::lle Hospi t8J. ·and vvas retu:r~ned

Hea.1 to :prison

t he

the r_;sYchie.tJ>i.st b<).t i.t 'became k:n.o~.vn to - 0 .

c; p2.role o?.ficer

Sltrft3..(J:8 1> S:he 80~~1me:o.1t ill?.de by t}J.t? rs~TC}:d.8:·:-~~Ci..t>t in }:JJ.~;

S1J .. bsec1u·~nt re~1o:c·t was t1Jat thi~3 case j_l]:u.stTP.ted_ most

forc:LOly the adve,:n.ta[:e o:f a mu1t1-c15.mensloJ'~.a1 8-)J~J:r:·o~":J.Ct.L to e.

yn::-iso:n~;r to cnroid. }"LiS be.tng 2.ble to nl)'D.ll the wool ov-er the

eyes :t ~ Tho rJsyctJ.at~ciet became \:7e11 avva:re of tlle acl\rcr~_rtr),..ge

of :-not cleyenrJ~u:~_p solely on h5.s j_:rJ.tervievv£-:: vt5.t!J. the p?~tie:o.·c ~

(h)

~ L~ wa.s transferred to a psych5.atr5.c h.ospital with:Ln a vveek o:f corJ.vj_ctj_o:n a:nC1 s~Jent ei.p:ht months theJ:e

before being ::ceturner1_ to y:rj_son as ?~ res1_(~t of a deci..sio:n

rnacle by th-3 }:Ien.taJ. Hea.lth rl?J:i h1)..Y;_2v1 * Durj.rJ.;3: this ti::~e at

Rozel1e Hospital J:,~.r" IJ.. made COJlSi.d e:ca.ble j_rni)rO',reme:n.t and at

the t.i.rn.e of th0 Tri1)una1 t s decision the mental health.

authorities 'Here consiO.er:i.:ng an B-1'2;->::tication to have VT" L ..

transferred to an open ward wi +,h a view to gradual re­

introduction into the community,

5,19 The !~ental Health Tribunal :i.s only concerned w:i.th the

issue of mental illness e.nd not with the issue of sui tabili.ty

for release into the corm:mni ty in terms of the "dangerou.sness 11

issue6 In this case the intervention of the Tribuna.l 1 s

decjsion may be seen as i .. nter:rn}lti.:nc a p:cogramme of rehab­

ilitation and may pro1onr:; the time before eventual release,

-3~--

(i)

th.e effect of excessi:'t.re drinkinG of a1cohole ~rhe major

issue :Ln conslde~ci1"~2; release o:? }.Tr c: R o is not one of rne:-1taJ.

illness 1Ju·t. of r:Lsk t;o the eorr~r:runi ·ty v I.tc .. R" he .. s bee~n

under rev.i..Pw for release since 1967 and durinc; the subsequent years numei'O"~J.s psychiHtr5 c repo:cts he.ve l)er:::tl

pTesented containing ve.ryin{: Ol)inj_o~':'"lS as to whether j,.:,:.r. ~ R"

is likely to offend 2vgaino a R .. h~"3 .. S .rrresenteCl. Vie11 in

prison anil there aTe :no <J.Uest.i.ons raised al;o"lJ_t his se.nJ.ty ¢

Q:he reseTvations eX}):t:·essed by gsycld.~.tri.sts are bEt-Sed ort J:d.s

behavio·c:.r relatinz; to the off(::T').ce a11.D. a:ny fu~the:L' testinc: ov.t

a.s to bow he wou1rl react u:r:t.d.er the influence of alcohol or in

tb.8 cor.1p2.n . .y of females was not y:-oss1h1e Q The rese~:::ve;t:.i.ons

the~:·efo::::·e remain and the resnlt of reviBtrl rem8 .. ins the s?.<.I'i.e ~

5. 21 The I.:Lfe sc~ntel'lce R.evie'>v Corm:1lttee cons.iders tra1>sfer to

ce:..n be tested in v-aryine socia} si t.t_;_;itions a:r.~B. eo t}J.a t sorce

resocialization can teJre place 0 Since he ca.~w.ot be t:C'i:?.!''l_f:;fe:c:cecl

by means of a Sc}H~d:uJ~e thE~ v5J~w is that he s11 .. 01:tld. be x·e1eased

vv:t th the condition t.he:t he aclrni ts hirnself as a vo1untaJ.::y

r)a.tient 0

5,22 Tbj_s case :i.llustrates the prob1en of the 1o:rJ.£: tcn: .. ·m G .. I> ..

where insa~"15.ty iE3 no longer the j_ssne but whe~ce conser\ratism

may enter the revj_ev1 1)rocess ]_)artly because of tho length of

time alree.cly serve(} in prison. Seconcl.ly' thB rroble:n of

sui table means of testing behaviour e,:t;_cl resocialization to

:p:rovide a lllOre realistic basis for review is highl5<?hted.,

5 ~ 23 Mr" N'.,. bc:cP.me a G .. P .. as a result of the mtn::der o:f his

m:Lstress afte:::- she terrni.nated the relatj_ons~_il;., After the

mu.:.-der l~x-~ H ~ attempted S1.1J ciO.e by shootlne.; h5mseJ.f i11 the

hee.Cl.. At the tlmB psych.tatTists vveJ..:•e concer1":1.ecl that the

shootin::; may affect h:i.s 8.bllity to con:trol emotio:ns

feEl:C was J.a.ter c0:r1si(}r-;red to be unfou:n.iled a:nc1 that, ln J:act,

the injury seemed to have the effect o:f rJakinE; him mo:>::"e :placid,

-35-

5.24 vras :f.i.::c

parole l'epo~ts 5.n Aarly 1970 hut in ·1973 a repo~t was recPj_ved an ins~cctor of poJ.ice cont;:t5.:n5J1C alle{3ations of ac;c:cess1-.:te behavj.on::: to~Ne.T·d.r:;

mer:lbers o.f the O})])OSine: fa.ct:iOJ1 j,n. t}~e Yuc:oslr?t'T eor;28.un.i

:Parole Repo:::ts i:n.:J.icate tl:~at

polit1cs h1s c:onnecti.or. \'d .. th e:rou:p 0

diffScultJr i.n S1J.hsta~.tie;t5.:ng t}Je f?.cts "~/V8 .. S recor~:n.:Lsed ~-:'ro::n

the OIJ:.tr>e-t a.r10. s·p"oser:uent1y tl':e 2J .. J..ee;c\tlo11.s vrere ~U?t~~··cr.::J.3;

prese~n.t 1:;e1: .. avio:.1T, whlch rr'lay have ~oeen effectecl "by t.he

su.icide atte-rnrt.

5.25 " H 10 1vas eventua1Iy re1e8.sc0. t:n Nov. 1976., In the

~·

licht of the dec:Lsion the:t had. to be rn2,.de, the con8eY:n. of

the decisj .. on makeJ:·s o\re:r the B.J..1eg<:Ltions met de is YtnO.eJ'_~st,?.~nd­

able~ Hovve\rer, thi.s case :i.JJ.ust::r:·e,~tee. lone: delays "'oBt·,':een

:r.ecommenD.atio:r:.s iYl. repo:cts ;::1.nrl S1)bse!~:uent act5 .. on ·which .·eere

ae:e:ravated "by the .i:nvol:\re:n.e:n.t of the _D_ttor-ney GeneJ?cJ ..

Canberra{) The J..onc, clel2,y·s J..ecl to the need for furtli.er- U})-

to-cl.e:te psycl1i2.tric re:po:::·ts vihJ.ch take t:Lme as the :p:r~·j .. soner

has to be transfe:c·recl to I,onz 3ay for· psychie~tric

examination,

5.:-26 Detention :i:r .. priSOJl ts considered. as a ser:Lo;;s I'!.::,_tt&r

ancl clel?-YS j_nvolved. in rele2.se es2_)ec:La.lly VIhe~ce it does not

involve 0uestj.o~0.s of chari::~e j_n t1:.c-; r:risoner' s be!:.aviot.lr or

chance h1 release Jlla.ns, need to be consi.c1ered as rer;_,_.l.i.ri:ng

urt::ent attention, A re-examj_nation of the commu:'lj_cat:Lon

channels~ es:pecially "~:vhere a::_ outs:Lrl.e body is conce:c:ned, ma.y

be needed.

-36-

6., 1 :Sefore dj_sc-~.:tssiDG tb_e p:r.·ocerJ.u:r·es ~~;1d ~:r·s.cticcs ado}-;ted.

in the cllS})Osa1~ treatment an.cl c1J .. sche..:rce of G .. P~s,

descri.oec1 i.n the f:ixst sections of this rero::·t, so'PcC

B-T'e cen·tral t.o the ctec.i.sj_on-maJ:.~:L:n.(:~ :process .for t}liG f:TOU~9 o:~

of.fenr1er is p:r~~sentecl ~ ~~:}1ey aTe the eonc:sY:Jt of

B.

6., 2 Da~ncer·o:)_Sr_,_ess tends to be a vag1::.e conceJ/C ~',;hen related.

to t:h.e rnentalJ..y j 11 of~fe~n.d0.:r.. \V};j_]_st there night Oe some

consensus :Ln j_ t p:cov5.des 1i. ttle or DO assist::-'.:1c e in 8.-J'~ply.:i..nr; the te:c·m

to t!1.e notent:La.1 for _i_·rrfJ..5.ctinrt se:cious boD.5 .. 1v hf.::r3:·n1 on • ..>( ' ' anothe:-c ( ar:/1 so:,1et5.mes onese1:f) . ·J?.. J The }3u.t1er Repo:c"t

extenCls tJ'"!.e clef5ni tlon to include Js.stir;c~ r:sycholoc~:"Lcal

hRI'l11 ~ j 3 )

Firstly 1 .... -· 1 CG.L an

cngo1ns coEl})lJ_J.sion or r1eed. to j_nf1:Lct in:juJ:'Y or l)S-in g~nd.

seco:nd.J.y, -the }·<n;_ch lar-ee:r grcro.p of indi vJJtv.e~ls \-V:L th the

potential to act danc~eY·OlJ_sly· i.J_nrle:e ee:etatn cond.J .. tiol'\S or

stressf'J.J. s:Lt•J_ations.., The fj_:rst c;:rcn1r ls most fre~:ue1'J.:t:;J.y

associated. rd.th serio·tJ.s mental l11ness or })Sycho:c;ath:i:c

diso:c·der: such 11atients are found in our :psych:i.atrj_c

ho(-3l)j_ t;-:J,ls 0 Sor:1e of these J!80ple may nevt~1' be de2.lt v1i th 1n

the cr5.rcj_na1 justice system o DangeTousness, the:re:fo::-e,

nis not usually a more 02: less colJ.sta::J.tly exl·lj .. bi.ted. dispositionn.C 14)

6.4 The avaD.able :cese"lrch o:n tl:.e predic:tion of future

dan-2e:cousness t-2YH1s to concentrate on :Lden.tifyi·ng 11 prol)abi.li ty grou:ps," wldch ha.ve a hicher or 1ovrer :cisk.

-37-

t it is not ~ossible

to acc1Lr·ately "O:::"eCU.et fr~:t.ur•.::: d~'.n.c:e:cous 1)e}l.a:vlcnn:· for aY1

jJyJ.ivicluo.L (-i 5)

ccrnservz::t:tlsr:;. T'esultin~{ 5.n t:hr:;

t1:J.e acttons of ·a few·.: NorvcJ.l

detention of to prev8nt ... . (iG) 'l ll L':OI'TJ.S :poses "G._!.8 JYCO ). ~Gr;J.

aB a moral di.lemm?- = how· rru?.:r:y fa1se JIO,sd .. tive _pr<:vl .. ir:.~-tioJ.lS

of Clanz:e::r:uo_s·.rJ.ess c2,.YJ be j·l)s-t;i_f:Led foe the s:?.ke of lJ:r_,eve::lt5..:n8

cr5.m.es i)y t,}; e trrte 3.>os:L ti.ves?

}:.1o:::~~:·is £~oes on to say about OVC:)7~p:red.iction:

n ~ .. o 1.ve }.JOf3Sess art extre:-nely COLY\te·nj_e~c!.t mec1ta:r~j_srn by which to co:nceal from ouJ~se1ves Ol11"' ci"·i.ttc21 incalJactty e.s 1n:·edicto:cs:- the Fta.Sk of ove,.(-~ 7-o:)~erlioti.on c

If 5.r:t dou.~t;t, put him Ln. or keep h:Lrn t:n o H J 7)

Soci.o1oftics_l ?esea:-cch - 1 '0:JE:;:~~·atio:0 Baxst:rornn --~ .. -. ....... ,_.,.~...-.. ___ , ____________ , ___ ,_,~------

6 c 6 Over-p:r-c~di c.d:;io~(t also mak.es it di.ffj_ c:J.lt to va1ida tf-1e

pTeclj_cti1/B cape .. oityo A recent Ol)I)o:rt1.-1.nity to test t!1e is:::~ue

caYtle as a result of a ju(1_icta1 decision.. In Feb~cu.a:cy ~i 966

the Unj. ted States Su.}!:t:'eme Cou;·~t :.rulec1 that the detention of

expiration of l1is rr.ri.son senten.ce, wl tb.out T·eceJving the

V.S"~J.a1 due }1roc;ess !-'roteotion.s o:f the o·.r.c11na~cy c.tvil

comnd.tment, vias u.nconst:tt1J.tiona1., The im.media.te effect of

this decision was that 967 nJ3axstrom 11 pc-ttients vrere

t:ransfer:cecl fl"'OEt S}!ecieJ_ secur.i ty hos:pit:gls to eivtl

hospitals -vri thj_n the year.. 'l:J:J.ese y;atients we:..:·e all convict eO.

cr:\.mtne.ls vrh.o were not only consiclered too dane:erous to ·oe

released but too oancerous to be transferred to civi.l

hospi t;;J.ls.

6, 7 The proe;ress of the "Baxstrom" p2.tients in the civil

hospitals v:as moni.to:c·ed 2 ... nd e:eneratec1 a :n.v.m.ber o:f follow-up

studies.: The broad conclusion of the follow-uu studies was one of f1?oss over-:9recliction of clane;ero1)_Sness.- Research ( H',)

in the first year in.dicates that the Baxstrom pe.tients

became indisti.nguis>, .. ab1e from the general pe.ti.ent po~ml;;1.tion.

After .fou:::o yt::ars only 2 "6?·6 of the j_yd:tj_o.l crou.p vrere sent

back to srH::ci..al s~cu:ci ty hoSIJi ta1s 11 (

19 ) In. the fo1low-up

s·~_.\J_dy on a 20% ra11.d.om sam:pJe of males E~.nd 2.11 the females,

567~ of the males an1 435-b of fem:::1.les 1.''1ere relea,sed,. Of thE'.~

08 m·l•s "La sed 11 uar .. ·+.P .~ -"++•-u :; ! a. t. · re~ ,_,a , de_ e COllV.l.C v8· .. .L O .. L COffiLtl ,, vJ.H;_, a cri.r:te

j"n the snbse

felo:n:L"::~s, on1y

conclrt(!.r::s t.}!

-38-

OYlC

c~x~ 1 to blJ..t o~ne j_D"l~e1:·rrY~etatio::<.: t.:he ttJ~::".ts

\~!ere 11ot very d::~.~~r:·erons ~ n t ?i) Sj.rnil~:-I' con.r:~·J).sion.s c~:~rl. be

rJ.ra.vl:n o~t1Je~::.· ;;esee..~r~ch fj_-r:;cl:Ln~:::s ~ ( 22 )

(c)

6 (' 8 Ko~~al et ,C 23) em~loy a mo~o clini app:coa.ch ·::o the

tW.l.d incJ:Lvj.cl11e~lJ~z2,.·tio:n .is e essen~e of t~ea

:psychj_.~:._ t:r:.i. c

ec1 crt c{.

Koza1 s·tuc1y the :f:ceq_ue:n.c:;r of asf-:;at.J..1ti "(..re De!:'!.avion:r· \Vf'J.EJ mo:rt0

tb.an .J'Oi).:!.'"' tjJnes f:C'e~-.ter fen:- those :Ct._~J.easec1 CJ.gaJ.nst e.d'\d.ce ..

Kor:r:i. .. s; h.o~.-".reve:f' ~ lJoj"nts Oll.t ·t.he cost~ Of t11e 49 who \vA-r'e

rele(:>"sed ac.:ai·nst the aclv·ice of s Xoza1 tec.r:1, 32 (l . .td not

(a)

6~9 P:eesen.t 18..'/r pe:cmits t.h.e co;npu1sory deten.tion, for an

indefinite :perioci, of an OD the e;rounds of' mental i11ness.. CC!1e offender has no richt of

, • J.. .(> 1 appea .. c J.n a cour" o.J: aw The o:ffend.er is c1etatncc1

agalnst his co:n.t:Lnued clete·o.tion.c.

at the r+ove:rnor 's Plee.su:re e.nr1

Brj_ tish law c.oes not allow J.eeal action to be taken

the Crown. 'l:he only aven.ue left open to a G.P. is direct

})eti t.ion to the Cro1'\Yn ..

(b)

6.10 United States Lw1, on the other hand, is unde:<:'pi:nn.ed

b:v a Bill of Riehts and in{l.:L vid1J . .::::..ls can ap1)ea1 to a court

that these rie;hts be u:rheld. In relation to persons "found

not g1.1.i.lty by reason of insanityH (N' .. G .. R.oi.) 1 cour·t cases

have been successful on issues of nright to treatment" and

"equal protection". The latter upholds the right of' N.G.R,I. offenders to be subject to procedures of inv-oluntary commitment similar to those in civil commitment

(c)

6.11 A prison sentence is primarily considered as a form of sanction. A G.P. is acq_u.i tted. o:f any criminal responsibility yet he 5.s detained in a prison. The warrant is ostensibly :for the psychia·i;ric benefi >G of the i.ndi vidual, yet the legislat.ion is silent on treatlllent or therapy.

6.12 Continued detention of a G.P. is usually justified by ~vo reasons: he is still mentally disordered and/or still considered to be potentially dangerous. In both instances the irwti tution used implies the existence of adequate treatment and assessment facilities. In the first instance. detention in a psychiatric inst.i·l;ution seems to be the only appropriate facility. In the second instance the ultimate objective is to modify the offender's dangerous potential, (in cases where this is possible), to a point where it can be reasonably predicted that he will not be a danger to the community, Whether the treatment facilities should be provided in a prison setting is, and will probably continue to be, a contentious issue.

(a) J::resent Dispositi,on Procedures

6.13 An offender acquitted on the grounds of mental illness requires the trial judge to order the offender to be "kept in strict custody ••• until the Gov·e=.or 1 s pleasure is known". In N .s.w. this is interpreted by the court as meaning detention in pri.son. On one occasion at least, however, a Judge has ordered detention of a G.P. in a private psychiatric institution. Subsequent to this order being made advice was sought from the Crown Solicitor as to the validity of the Order. The Crown Solicitor concluded that there was nothing in the provisions in a.23(3) which necessarily restricts the powers of the Judge in relation to place of detention of a G.P. However, in relation to any discretion being with the Governor as to place of safe custody, the conclusion was

yv

that he had to order prison as the :place of safe custody. The Crown Solicitor expressed doubts as to the possibi.lity of the case simply being reported to the Governor, and that the Governor shoulct :no order pending a further reporte

6.14 settln.gs proced:ures beco::::H~

the :procedure has been established the more diff':l.cult it is to eff·ect • This tend is even more p:n:mounced in the courJcroom setJGing since the judges rely not only on legislation but on precedent and tradition.

(b) Judicial Attitudes _,,__.. .... ,., ... --- ......

6.15 A factor which may be contributing to the contirraance of the existing procedures without seemingly questioning its appropriateness, is the view of the cou:rt officials themselves as to what happens to the offender after the trial. No generalised sta.tement can be made but several judgements and statements by court officials indicate some misconceptions as to the future of these offenders.

6,.16 In the case of R. v. Fuller (1974) defence counsel made application to the judge (while the jury was absent) that the jury be informed of the consequences of the verdict of 11not guilty on the grm.mds of mental illness u.

"··• the accused is detained usually in the maximum security section of a mental hospital ••• the· verdict of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility leaves the accused liable to the ordinary penalty of penal servitude."

Similarly in the judgement handed down in the Court of Criminal Appeal in the case of R. v. Veen (Aug. 1976) Justice O'Brien states that,

n ••• where the ••• verd1ct is an acg_ui ttal by reason of mental illness ••• his disposal is to a mental . hospital in New South Wales by direction of the executive by virtue of S.23 (2) and (3)* of the Mental Health Act 1958. 11

In terms of established procedure this interpretation is questionable as the executive order is made for detention in a prison. A G.P.s route to psychiatric hospital is determined by the same procedures as apply to other prisoners suffering from mental illness - by c0mpletion of two certificates in

* The transcript of the judgement reads' 1'824( 2) and (3) 11 •

This appears to be a typographical error.

-41-

the fo:r.:-rt-:. of e~l.1).J.e e"

6e 17 Other

of:f'5 cj.a.l...s J.1.ave o;:l_5. st

terJ.

his soli.citor toJ_d (

S:Lnce he :n_o

The c:::lt5.o:0. j n the c~t is t~~t he is consid

is a~]~ro~riate, at least

~~~eo 1s s of e, Ir:.~or,~.:L-sG of hell) ;:·tJ':c~. p::oc~raJ](Jile o:·}. t!.1.e

then :not to t he1D :Ls decegt:i.ve ~ ":':f.hen rn.ea:_(<s only JJTOJ.onced C'.tFd;ocly 5 .. nclete:ec:j_1_":_acy th0 o~·re~~P~ n~~nc·1·-,rP9 lliDsel~ ~s ---- .. --~-. l-~i--~-~:1-... ~ .... ~-- :;_;;.---~n ·1 2. -. -- ........ -~ "--- c

"' Sd •....•..• l·--C n.o~···", ' 5) VJ.it}l.OYtt };

' the vict.i.n. of

P1 eP.SUI'P. Offeror)_ e~r>S :i.~n. :Pri s O!i

as

--.. ~--·~··---~--~-----

61) 18 ~2l1e c:._l..:testj,.on of the aprn:op:r:>:i .. ateness ot }Jrj_son 2~s thB

place of detent~Lon for G~:P,s JJ.as alre2.dy ;oee·n :r.·~:1.:Lsed. j_n a

:o.um1)e:r· of (lj_ffe:r~e:""d~ contexts in thj_s rerort ~

Inaprn."OIJ:ciateness is most eviO.er:: .. t :Ln terms of the indi vj_c):~:tal

rip-hts issue &.ncl the tJ~eatment i.ssu.es: custody a!'.d '""·' -

DUnisl"nnen1:i rernain the l)~:ime;:ry reasons fo:c gi vine: a yn:ison

sentence,

6~ i9 Althou.zh Jrl8.:n.y G~P~s a:re al)lYr·opriate1y t:r.."'ansfe:r:·iec1 to

psychie,t:>:>ic institutions there are a mml)e:<::- of covertly 8.nd

overtly psychotic G,P,s in prison, (See Section 5 (b)(~) (e)(c;) ), It is di.fficu1t to disttne;uisll a-r.y uniform

cr:i.teria e:overr:i.ng transfer to l)Sychj_e~trlc hospitals{, In

instances vih.e:re offenclers :have eo:r,e into :::-ea.sonaf)ly e_:ood

rerr1ission as a resv.l t of medicat:Lon and the psychJatr:i.sts

wish to. transfer a G ~ P .. to a ps,ych1c.tric ho.s:p.i tal,

dLfficulties are sometirnes encountered in COP'.p1eti11.£; the

re(111ired Scher1:n.Je so I:n the case of T1Tr ~ S., ( :pare.era_I)h 5 ~ 10)

the consequent non-transfer 1ecl to a rejection of a request

did JJot fn1.fil tJ1e rGrllJ5Tements o~f Section 12 of the

ImT:1i.[~J:a.t5.on f.»c·t as 110. V-I2.S not (:-t COYJv-5.cted c:r·:Lmi.n2.1 e:0.3 not

in a :ysychiatr5.c instj_tut5.on<) A simi.l?.r s:Ltnati.on

occur~eed. :I.n the case of

remaj_ned in 1n:·tson even thou{~h :ce~)orts indicate t}.,_r-~.t he is

psychotic, despite medication,

6.,. 20 For Tf1(l:ny of the

the.;: d.eJ..usio1:1 5.t~.F~1f, ce!'t~3.1n· stress s.l.t1 .. ·u:j.t:Lons can

:r:eactivf-lte a psyc}t.otic C01-:td:i .. t:7_onl> Such st:cess sl tio:r.s

(Section 5(j) ) which demonstrates the difficulty o:f

1)rlson setti:nc_: I) T11.e~r cr.ce a m.:Lno:r·5 .. t,y g:cc-n:-cJ anci. cexn.1ot ·be

ex}Jecte(1 to :recei Ye a f~Y"ef:-\.t deal of sym2_Y:d~!"ty from othe:r·

inne~tes and fe1v }x::1so:n o:C':ficers WOiJ.J.d Oe CXJ:)eJ:."'ier:c:ecl. 5.n.

ma11asJ.ne; the Oehr~:•rj_our JY::.:·oblems of s·nch 2.n offe:t: .. cle:r·"

saT~.e a,t the tim~.? of tr:LaJ.. or \V1J.o :cec~aiJ.J. He:.nj_ty whtle 1:-n

p:r:ison that tJ:.ey e.:re ser•t:i.1J,g a 2entence eYe:c. t~ouch t·~.ey are

found not gu.:i.J:ty ~~ A c:::cow:i..nc: nt.1.mbeJ? of G~ Po s a~.ce raj_ sine

questj. ons abo:J .. t the reaso:ns for their con.ti.rcJ.f::d dJ~:te~· .. tion

anc1 some develo}) a d.eep resentment ac;ainst the atrtho:?i t5.es

wh5..c!.J. h.s..ve the l'ON er to !told. them :i .. nf1ete:rr:1ine.te1y., Further­

more, 1ong-te~'m d.etPrri.::5_on can res·:I1t in increasirte;

institutioDa1tzat:lo:n.o ~:1l5.s ma,y be seen as counter.-

proc1v.cti ve .i..n ter.ras o:f rehabiJ..i ta:t:ion for life in the

community,

-43-

basically l."(~ :c-ed to COll.sj_'.l.. er Yl}J_et1tc:c to refuse 8. doctoJ:? 1 s

of the Pri;:;on I,Ic:~O.ic::.tl Service¢ ~J~ltese <leeisj_or~r~ laT·zely

reflect ·the :r·ese7'vr.;\:tions exJ:r:eeBsed in };!Syc~}J.i.atTlc :r·eroJ.:ts o

Tb.eTe is no rnedtcc>J .. of.fj_cer on t~1e Paro1e Board. Vlho caJ1

evidence: to assist in de6i.sj_on-

making 8.hou.t 1J.o1v· much weieht i.s ·to be plc\ced Oil tl.1.e

reservati. one expressed,

6 .. 24- Vth.e:~ t~h.e B11t1er Comm:Ls,s.i.cn i:n J~:ng1&.nd. iNa.s con8ider5.Jtf

whether the Parole Board sho1)ld tal-ce on the role of revi.c-;vlinr:::

patients on Tec;tJ:icti_on orcl.ers 1t co:ncltH1ed th.?.t the two

tyyes of rev:L evr re.:u:L:ce,)_ roles the:t were or:)os.i .. te 5 :n. ]!rj_~'l c5.ple

artd that it vvas i.m:!)OTtant t1~at ar1.y :rc~v:t.ev:r for~ suclt offenders should not be associe.ter1 w5 .. th the :penal system. (?.6 )

(b)

6 "25 The assessment by the psych5~e,t:rj_st is a lonsi tudi11.2.1 one~

basec1 on a collectj_on of repo:r:·ts macl.e over a period of tj_me ~

Although the offend.er is inte;~v:i.ewed by the :psychiatrist

before each :report j_s eu.bm:t ttecl he has to rely heavily on

rn:-ecedine re:ports, nos t often vvri tten by himself -?~:ncl _}.)erhalJS

another :psychiatrist. The :psychtatri c<t is not in a :position

to obse:cve the prisoner's .,oe}Jav.i.our across the range of every­

day situations and :celies on t:eneral conduct re:ports from

prison offj~cer, based on a rat.:i.ng scale, for this 5.nfo1?l:!.ationo

The :Lnclus5 on of :pc:obation and. ~;arole officers' re~)orts gives

an assessment of tlr_~; r>ocial sj. -~c,-;J.ati.o:ns ~.nd sorn.etimes adds

info:r:t!lation. about the :psyc:td.ed:;J~ .. ic eoncli tion of the offender,

as j_n tb.e case of T,lJ:' ~ 11:" (see T!8-J::'8.£:1.''8.lJh 5 tl 17), \vh:Lch

comp1ete1y altered the psychi~;.t:e.i..c assessme:n.t.. ~Nhen tJd.s

1ongi tu.dtnal approaeh to 2~e,sessr:\Ant is aclo1)t.e(1 the ten0.e:t1.cy • ..l... .., • ' l ' . . J~s vCN!8.ro.s recap1 ""G1L,i:3...Glng rrev1.ous re}!o~:ts and recornme:rv1.::~.tions (1,

-ii4-

"lack o:f opportunities for observation ancl

S<::-;r.i.01.lS

0 ~c t11. e Qlre-nt

tLe o.t~fe:r;.der \?:LJ .. i .. T~?.act to

J a:c t:I.ons outside

6. 27 the :psycJ.~, t:r:ic sett::i

a:nd re-soc5.f\~Li::-:;a-'e,icn:1s cj_.vj_:nc a. moTe ree.1istj_c base to

c1.eeiBion-rr;sJ;:-i::1~~ .::tl)(Yi.'.t J:~eJ.easo 01 The clt.:f~f:Lc:.;J.ty is that a

p~isoner, At this staee, cqnnot be sferred to a psychiatric

Sometfd2"1g of a cye1ica1 d.ec:Lsi..o:n--ma}:::i..nc ]_)atte~cn c;=.~.D aJ:-:Lse:

there is a reluct2.nce to relec,~se on licence l!ec:e..use of the

dou.bts c~bcrut the c1a1~.cerous }.JOtE~:n:tial of th .. e offent).er G.l!c1 tJ.1.e

op~)ortunit:tes c8.nnot be macle av::-:d.la"blF: to teErt Ql).t their

basis ql One f31Jch ca.se is out:li11ed in Section 5 ( i) 1.>

6. 28 0che chart o:f communi.cati.on flo"! in the review process

(fj_.£3lir·e 3 "'4) sho-ws the :nunber of Qj_ffercnt lcve1s 'Which nTu .. st

be ner,otiatec1 befo:"te rev1ev; taJ.ces place and l:n the case of a

recommerJdation for release, before the licence is issued.

This can take cons.i.lle:rable t.i.me and i.n matters of

consideration for I'elease from prison it would seem that

delays should be avoided as rmJ.ch as possible oil Another

possible effect o-F~ such a rru:m.,oer of eormnu.:nication levels i.s

that perj_ods betv1een revievr may become lont~er than j_s

-!lE-

considered n~ces

line tb:Ls })J.'O~ess ~ U:1.dcr e:r'J.t I)01:i .. c;;y rPI}l.lests fo--;.• e-N

a:r·e :ceceJ by r::. F~t~cole :so--1~cd fror"' the IT.i.:r1.L~trn" .$ Th1:~

alterna.ti.1re }Jroced.ure v-Tou1d 1Je fo:c· the I:ife Sentence Rev:iJ~\V

Committee, via tb.e Corrrni.ss:i.o~nc::T, to rrt8 .. ke r~~quests to the

:Ln.t tial cor~

i"(J.Y01Ye1Tc8nt of th.r-; T-:5.

level Ln

considereQ j11st after a rne~ti.

"loefo:c e r:om.r.1:i.

the Pe~:cole coincides wi·th thet Rcnrj.ew Committee, the :Board 1 s recoJmJWncla.tion is sent

diJ:>ect1y- to the }';·in:Lst~.·:c~ r;:J.~,e Commi.ttf;:')e is j_:cl.volv<::d. only

e Faro 1 e J3 oa:rrJ. ! s

G, Inte·t."f;:'J~c of t!~e :ry;o Svstr~r-t:.s - Co:cT~~ct:Lo·ps ;?:n~l. He8J.th -··-----· .. ··---··--... ·-------·---~··--···-···----~-.. -··"'-"'"---·-----"'·""'·-""·-·-·-

( 2.)

of Co~c:cective SeJ::·~.r~Lc es 8.s h2.v:i ne; the rnajo:c res~Jons:1.b5.l:i.ty

fo:r the cu.s-to~·1.y 2:nd J:eJ.e,?~se of G~? .. s., This is re:f1r;ct~~o.

the relevant secti.o~:13 of

J!~covis.io::·ts are i:n.cluded. i:n m2r~.ta1 1"~eaJ .. th 1e!:::Ls tion, v.,r}"lj_c]-:.

1m})li.es ·t}!_::~i; the Gove:rnol" ts 1.varx:•ant :is osi:enslbJ..y fo:r."' t"he

psyc;}l.i<:d.--.r:Lc 1Jene:f~tt o:f t}1.f~ :j_n(l.i.vjJl1J.a.1, the lec;5.sJ.a:t:i.OlJ. is

-46-

c~es ..

6 .. 3 i l"lP.~!.y G .. ? 6 s ,:::c:ce trans:f err eel to vsych.iat2···j_c :Lnstj. tut.i_ ons

for t:ccatme:nt bttt the me.jo~ci ty of cc':.ses ax-e :cetu:cnec1 to

Drlson once thls t:ceatme-nt j_s seen f:tS comTleted or t1'1(~ 11t.:rson

is se.:Ld ~~o be :n.o 1onr;er r18!l.taJ.1:-;r i11 <>

6 ~ 3 2 J:h(:; T.J errta..1 HeaJ.th ~:·.-r5.1)unal b;;ls Yl.O offj.cial role 5 .. rl

cons.ic1e:cin~s s:.1.i ·t;ri.(d.l:i. ty :fo~~.., ~release of G ~ J? 0 s, 1)eing o-r.:.1y

the :cecorn.mendat5.ons of t1:."~ medical o:~~f.icer c-tr1d. a n1JJ!lber of

G., P. s have :r:eTnc.d . .-n.ecl l1eyon.rl the term of actual r:~onta1 111.3\ess a:r.~d he.ve been re1eased. i:nto the

ess ceRses to be

aeJ."~.ta,J_ heaJ ... t11. s;,rstern ur:d.e:·cta.kes t:cea.tment to the

poin.t <~t 'Nhich it feels th.c:tt :r.J) fu:c·the:t· :p:rof:::r·ess can 1Je made o

prison 5_ncJJ.Jd.G cone ern a1)0lJ.t :potent;5.al :c:i.sk ·t:o socie1.;y 5

B.dve:C'se soeia1 co:o.d5..t}.02''}1 :~n"'everd:;j.)J£; rele2.Be 7 j_}J.tE:rve:nti.JJY:

of a IIe:otaJ. Health T~cib·L:tnaJ.. dec:Ls1on., o:r t11.e :pat5.ents

ex:p::r.essin:: a des:i.:~e to :coturr1. to ;'):ci.son~ so:net:lJiieS the

·ne15.ef tl:.?~t t!1ey 'Nill Oe :re1ea-sed. soonr::;r from l1r5.son tltan

from a psychiatrj.c institution.

6., 33 Som•2 comrnertts 1)y a cJ.octor wY~o woTks 5.n a }.:lsychiB.t:r1c

servlce i.n HevJ" York, w:b.icil f:Lnds itself pJ .. ac.<:!c1 bet~Neen these

·two systerns, m.ay add BODle t1-~.eoretica1 I;ers:pectives to the

Q",al c.•-re<·=·erl '"·"'1~'"'")'~0"C 1 l ( 27 ) T)·n "'""oy•'"" ;)"·"n'"1l 0'0c""'~'""'V8° .t. 1"?.-l- s+~..c.-.o l-1.-.:. ___ '··':J'·)lt ->~ '·~l~·J·'~ .c ... .,.l_., ·-~-" J..L,_,_,-::>CJ...~.i.:::i, >.:.:>CJ.. · .. ,J l,JJ.<. ... b ..~._,.J_J_

of insti tutioDs as vrell 8S 5.rtrrta tes can becor,1e insti·tlJ.tionali zed

institv.tlons as ~,'-tell as wit.hin :i.nstj_tutions ...

tt.,.,., pe .. :c··t;j_ct.J .. la:cly· j_n those J?i T!.~;;-Pong C8.t:es i.n wJ-;_ic}1 an inCU .. vid1..1.2.1 5.s b011ne:ecl back a~0..d forth be~.veen or:r: s ystr:m .s.··:~~- an.o th. 0r " ~ ., j) ~'That i.Ve B P. e ~L s 0 i .. ff e::'e:n.tia1 J.e,.tH.::llJ .. n~~ t}:e ~~~aJ~'"c1 cal15.T<':: htm s:!.ck, 8.nd t}"J.B d.octor caJ.l:i.:n.::~ }:j.JJ_ e:rj_minaJ.... rchese ;c:~_:('e tJ1.c '[e:ebal mess?. . .r~·es, but be!·d.YJJ1 t}:em 2 .. ~ce ~c2.ther dj .. ffe::~en.t r:J.essan··~s '..\!1-"!j_ch are tr.s:n::::md.ttE;d r:.on ve:cb~:..1ly 1n th~.:: :-:;,c:t·v .. al ... tr.:::.ns·(or~ .. ~ These rn.essc"l.zes (::t .. ;:e sqyJ:n.g b~LJ..A..terally, 1··se c'1.on tt \VP-.lJ.t hj.m, you take }lim'~rl(28)

The 11:r.~oce.ss of 5.r!.Sti tut.i o:n.e.li/~ation J.s ref1r~ctec~ i:~·1 -~;he nee<1

ttbotJt. :::;vsterns feel to keen one's ovrn. ""01ac~e i:n his O"Nn VH.?..y and

con.sc:n::v:ltively to resist ;J..ny char:.c:e 11 ~ ~ 29)

-47-

(b)

6.,34 I:n 1S?~:i a

Cor:1r:·1j_ t ·t; e e or.1

c o::1c lus i .. o:-(1 ·,,.,,re.s lJlJ. t

t the p:co-v'5. de a th 8Y'Et pr::r;_ tic

secu.::':i. lrn.i.t lnJ.t t}·;_e

of site and v:iJ:tbj_1.ity of Sl:;_ch a rn:o ject, at

He recomDe-n.dr::.~ct ~ .1:.n tJ.tB i~n.tr:n::ixn. J>

5.11 O\J __ lD. be

;:;

t o:f 1Jor:::cct5.ve S8)~'"1Ti.ces

t,o t.Tt:L

6 ~ 35 These ~TrO}')OSals env:i.sctee the emp1o:.nnent of }!Tison

officers fo:c seeiJ!:'ity p1J:CIJOSes., This ralses tb.e (!1.JJ~stioJ1

of the effect of the d"tlal ro1es of security anO. treB.trrt.ent

being performed ln the se.me settj_:r:g 1)y d:Lfferen.t officers

employed by c1iffe:cent c1epartrn.81!·t;s ~ Is it possi"ble to so

distine:uish these two ro1es so t1Jat they c~\n l)e efficiently

pe:C'formecl by d:i. ~~tinct e:rou:0s, vih.:tch are often i nfl.1;.enced by

comr,cting veJucs a:ncl. objectives? If these roles 8,re IJe:cfm:mec1

by the sarne lY:::-rson, as t]J ey have been ln }Jsycld.e.tric

hospi ta1s j_ n the pc.st, a jndeement is me.cle in each i.n.(li vl:JlJ.a1

case as to hovr much we:i.~ht is to lJe r:a.e .. cerJ. on the varyine 8-S})r.::cts"' If these roles s.~ce })r.;:tfor:m.efl by cffj_ce:::-s of c1i:ff'e:rent

der1;;.rtm.ents con.flict rn.ay e .. rise a,Yr(1. the battle for t~1G st2.ff of

each depa:ctm0~nt to rreserv:; tlv:;tr~ nterritorte.l k1-:::_,gc1ornsH, as

desc:r.·i.bed "by "D:c., J-.Te:·csereau (paracrs.ph 6~32), may be fouGht

-118-

Hospital or to any other psyc.!1iatric insti tut:Lon anc1 thi .. s

is only the

to be no lon~er mAntalJy i11 or·if

e conD.:Lt:Lvns c·

wi recreRtional and inJustrial facili es as ~el.l

o tJ1.e

associate~ with dete~tj_on of G.P.s in ~rison, discnssed in })art 4 of tfd.s secti.on_, and the issue of 5.ndj_>riduc:t1 ri.e:hts of

offendel"'S ~ f()ln:r.c1 not ;?:l1_:llt~T 1Jecause of rr~e:rtaJ.. i.11ness, would

remain 1aJ~e:ely unl."esolved j_n tl-te abse~nce of leg1s1a.t,ion

g:i.vi:ng the :ci.gf:.t of 2.riJea1 against continued detelltio'l, A

review of r)oJ.j.c3r e.nd 1ee:ls.1c.tj_o:r:.. affect::ine G "}J .. s is

in.dj_cated.o

11 The cr.imj_nal ments.l T)at:l .. e:nt ls the ne.r::1ecte\1 off'-snrtnD· of society, labelled-as psychotic, feionious, - - ~ da:nf~Ercous, anti-socis.l o:r -vj_ole:0.t" ReJeeateCt to penal i.nsti.tu ti ons o~e -to maxtmun1. security state :i.n.Rti tution8, the :n.egJ..ect of tlH~ esso:r:J.ti.a.Ily urd.(J_<:te features of these }X?.ti.e:nts, C01J..l")led v:rtth restre.tr:.t ., 41 ~ ~.1er:petuates de})enden.cy, deter5 .. oration a:?Jd deS}:Jaj.r.. The C1J.:crent1y evoJvine; :pltiloso:_:)]~lies JJ.1)eraliziJ1B mental hOS}Ji tal urocedu.:res and nl"cv;tices is an attemnt to emulate those asr)ects o;~ the cornmuYllty that St:cengt~n.en ego bOundaries; that is- f8.mily contact, vrork, ~cec:::-eation, self determin,;.tion etc. 'l'he men"i".aJ.J.y c1.5.sot:derec1 offender h8.s (often) beRn exc1u.d.ed as 11.0-t amena1)le or ... ' v· t' · · -'- · · l · " vOO a2.ne;erous , • , .·rlS ac lD('. on" J.n a VlO_enT 9.'Yl.Ct

dangrc:rous manner is the ca11 fo:c help that outrages socie-ty aJ:"!.(l d~?man .. ds- rett:-:t1 ie.tory neas1.:1.res • (' ~ Thj_s

disors2~i~ed reTson full u·tj_l5.satinn of c1 irne!I.S i.o21J:<L a1med 2.:t l.l·Ls

-LIS-

Some l)OS::>i i)le aJtern~~:ttves :for d e~;:;-l:Ln;::; w5.t1-l G .. 1:; c s a:r·e

presented in Section 7~

6 ~39 Oondit~Lo~nal li.be::cty reco::=-n5 .. zes the j_rn~;o:ctance of

contiD.u.ed assessment of ~Je~csons

an offe:-nce of v5.o1encG: or to J)GJ:ce:i..ve ot}J.r:::r Si-f::ns

indicatins the ]_j_keli.hoo~ of a

beh2.viou:c- I> c 1J .. ceJ.1See

if necessary

which

aettle c1.0\'TIJ. ir\ the e

vrfti1e h.i..s attj_ tude to t:LB Sl_l-0e:cvj_s5.n-r: o:ffice:c

be se~c:tovsly unde-:emined 11 c (3 2 )

i <:' -- ,_)

6 o40 In cases ·Hhe:ce o:nc_~oj __ ;jg ys:rch.:Lat:rj __ c s~ssessment -8-Y\8.

t .,..El .. 1+.,..r'lt=<n...~... is c.'r:.en ~s ·nr-"cc.c~c'a-'Y'v ..t,:hn ser·"'ri"P.c.; o-:' t'r·l" "_,_ocal J~.:,C.vl.!J....- .. _t• .- u,:,_._ o,,, .-..-• ,_.,,.._-, ···,.;; ... _._. ~ ~-··'-· .. ·~ ·- '"" __

comrnun~Lty rrr.entaJ.. heal.tlt c1i.:n:l.c is usua1ly e:nli sted (l

~-.,::._, J. n c e

the G .. P .. is u.s,.:.c.l1y :cele£-?.sec1 from. p:·cj .. s01!., the hos:r):ttal

'Nhich may h2.YG (;e(-:!11 invoJ.\red. 5.r:. treatment :l.s not

necessar5.1y :i.ncl\u1ed i:n superv.i..siOJi... In some cases tl:d.s

n01'.-:i.nvolvemen1.: of the hoSl)j. te.l r:t.?1.3r he~ve s OiJ.S

r~peJ.:·cussio1;.s·x-, A case vr:?.s rerorteO. whe~ee the Prob:::t-'cion anc1

-* VerOal con~m.unicat1on, 1.~ec1ica1 Of.ftcer, Rozelle Hos]!ita1 k

Parole Officer was concerned that bn;akdovrn was imminent

and that there was a risk involved, The licensee was taken to the psychiatric institution serving the area in

which he lived but they were not com<5.nced o:f the necessity

to admit him, The licensee was subgeg_uently aclrr:it-t;ed to

Rozelle

They were familiar with the case and the conseg_uences of a failure to recall in a deterioratir1g situation were appreciated. This may ind:Lcate that a close working

relatim1ship is needed between the responsible med.ical

officer at the hospital, ;ino was previously involvecl in

the case, the supervising officer, and the local mental

health clinic so that progress or changes in the patient!l

social circumstances and mental condition may be

known and their implications fully appreciated,

it would seem desirable that a G.P. licensee be

made

Furthermore,

admitted

to the hospital where he may have spent some time during

his G.P. term if hospitalisation is necessary.

-51-

SECTIOJLL. AIJTlillltL&,.TIVES IN PROCEDURE AND LEGISMTION

7 ~ 1 It ha.s suggested 5 .. J.1 paragre,ph 6 o 13 that the judge may have discretion in the disposition. of G .J? .s. The ju.o.ge is only :t'equired to order "strict custody" and if this inplies discretion.ary power as to place of custody then a unit offering such security is av-ailable within Morisset Psychiatric Hospital. Should such a disposition be ordered and a G.P. is detainecL at Morisset, then an assessment could be made as to the most suitable placement of that offender. The Principal Adviser, Mental Health has the power to direct what security conditions are necessary for each individual.

7.2 This alternative procedure tr~~sfers the responsibility for custody and care to the Health Commission thus avoiding the historical problem of detaining unconvicted mentally ill persons in a prison, without side-stepping the issu.e of dangerousness. The legislation, however·, is unclear and is subject to a number of interpretations. For this reason it would seem desirable to review the legislation ~~d consider· changes that would make more explicit the most appropriate forms of disposition.

(b) N .1h_\!_:, ,Proposed Mental mHealth Act

7.3 The draft of the proposed Mental Health Act makes no changes in Transfer:

the sections referring to the disposition of G.P.s. Section 25, which refers to the transfer of

prisoners, other than G.P.s, to psychiatric hospital, has, however. been considerably broadened. The condition of 11mental illnessn is broadened to persons "suffering from a mental condition which could be more appropriately treated in a mental hospital". The condition for transfer back to custody in prison is broadened from "no longer mentally ill" to "no longer require treatment in a mental hospi tal 11 • By implication these same definitions would operate in relation to transfer of G.P.s. Section 23(4), which relates to the transfer of G.P,s, contains no specific criteria for transfer of G.P.s to psychiatric hospital.

-52-

The p:r:--oposecl T.:enta1 Health _\ct

ly :::~ .. :~:~;:~ unf:Lt ~;o "tH~ -'crj_ed, Section 23A(10(f) )

i.s d1scharge the cou .. :ctt fo:r.

(,

comricted by a "special trial". These provisions •

do apply to G" P. so Th.is apparent exto:llaly closely exam:ined.

however, to be

7 ~5 ThB })TOIJOSed T\·~e-r"\te .. l Health lt.ct cloes not a}_)lJear to

s:i_g;_·Jific?.1'}.tly chanr<e tJ:1.e cu:r:cent si tuat5.on in relation to

the cUsposit5.on of CLP.s and tbe dual responsjbility of

Health Cornm:i.ssion and. Depa:rtmr:mt of Corrective Services.

(c) The (}::~.:nadj_a:r~ P~conosal

7.6 In L1arch 1976 the Low Refo:r:-m Co7;mission of Cc:n•P.da

submitted a re})o:r:-t to ParUamtmt(3 3 ) on mentalJy

diso:cdered offenclers which refers to offenders held on a

L.ie·ute11.ant Governor t s VI arrant (t The report concludes that

the use of a Governor's warrant as a means of disposition

j_s incom}_)atible with overall sentencing l)Olicy and

suggests n O<>Ct that dispositions should be made openly,

according to known criteria, be reviewable and. of

determinate le11gth (34), The Commissio:te., therefore

recommends that this form of cJjs:position be abolished

and that the verd.ict of "not gnil ty by reason of insanity"

be made a :cee,l acquittal, subject only to a :post-acc:;,uittal

hearing to dete=,ine whether the indi.vidua.l should be

civilly d.ets.ined on the basis· of his psychiatric

dangerousness( 35) or :9sychiatric illness,

7. 7 In oril.er to make the verdict of "not guiity because of

mental illness" a real acqy.ittal inN ,S,'7,, Sections 23

a,nd. 29 woul<'i need to be re:peeded as reclundant, A new

section vrould be rer1u:i.red to allow the court to conduct a

post-acC]_ui ttal hearine; to (let<?rr:ine 'Nhether the offent'l.er

needs to be admitted to a

involuntary :patient, The

nsvch.iatric hosuital as an • y •

administrative imlllications are the~t S11ch o.ffende:r:s ~,1ould be handled as civil patients. ar:d

the DeiJCJ.rtment of Cor:cecti ve Services would only be involved

in providln.e pre-sentence rero:cts for the trial and for the

hearing,

-53-

:L:n. t.l~e

s

he ::1.e

person ca~no·~ be 0eta5.

(d)

J.5ajesty' s J)1easu~r:e.. rph.:ts systen~, ho',·?R"~te~c J O.oBn not all ov;

dJ.rect :ce1e8.ED .tn-'c,o tJ'H~ co:·:~:;:_lJ.:nlty from t}H::: oou:r.-.-1~¢ TJ1e·

Ene1:i sh cj_:r·cum.vent t}:j_g l;y r:·~oJ."e exte:n.s:Lve use o:f the d. e:;ce

o.f O.i.minJehed 2-"'esrons:L1.1i15.-t:/ i.?}"l_.ic:-t pJ..J . .ryvs th:_:; co1.n:t t0 is-s-:Js

7,10 Int:to61H.:tlcn1. of t:nls system o.f tlj_s:pos1tio:n v,rould r·E;TLTj_;:.·e

son.e cha·(;_,c;e:s i;o the e-x:istins ler::).s19"t5.on Q> Sectj_cn 23 ( 3)

\V01).1d ne<=?d to specify a hcSJ:)i taJ. as t:r .. e p1e~ce of dete)r_tior1.

a:r1d. sect::l.oT; 23(4) 'Nr.n~ld 'be :r·e71ec:t1ed as :tt l.VonJ.d no 1onse~r'

be necesss.ry to complete ceY'ti cates to efff;ct a tra:n .. sfex·

from 11riso~rl to me:r:tal hOS}JitP,.l, Admi.n .. istre.ti>:re1.y $ .~che cr.~_re

c.nd custody of G~P~s would be tra:n.sferred entLreJ..y to t11.e

Health Comm5_ss:i_on<l

(a)

7 o 11 The rn:-OllOS\~0. lee:islatton does not substantially change

rev1 ew l)J:·ovision.s f o~ G .. P .. s.. A rror.lose(l nevi subs ect:Lo:n to

aection 23 :provides for a yer:-1-rJ..y ro"~ri.e:!il by tJ.1e }:lenta-1 Health

Tri buna1 i:-nstead of the one :r~;view p~·.:esentJ..y d·on.e at the

eX})i.ra t.i. on of th.r::: fi:cst si.x months (l The revj"e\v, ho·Never, j_s

sti11 con:ftned to recomme~nd.a:tions Has to the necessj_ty fox·

Bl.)_:L tr~.b:Ll}. ty

cou1d be

(b)

1e.~:::1.

r e into to p~ison, ~s is the p~cs

e

i'l._(;' \'.,15, t}~~-,_,) $ e C:.J(;

v be: C9.J.

c.l. ne:vi :::3ec:t:i..c1~n

·t of such R ~o~rd, its co2posi.tion,

fT2tl_U8J1CY of :t'e>;ri 0.\V c

7 o 7) -~~l! e;:1. 5. t nay be ur.rn.ec essary tc

as

revj_ew l)e:.::·sons ?.cr:rui tted o:r_ tJ1.8 g-:co1.i.:nds of rt,_en·i~t:l.1 :i..l1rcess

e,nd. ad.Eli tted to a })Syc}-_l_iat:cic hospi.tal as i1.rvoluxrtary

patie:n.ts o

e

(c) Th8 E:n:-rli-S}! -Svst:em - .~d•.r5..so~('\t Board t.o the J-1om~~ Sec·r·et8_rv --~-;,....._,..,,,..,_ __ ,...., __ ~·-·--·-·--··-"-'-~ -··-·--~--·--·-""''-~R .. ,-,...,..-.,-·-··~~~'"""''''"

7., 15 ~Chere i.s no statutoTy bot:t~cd. of review j_n I:nc1:?.nc1 w}J.ich

de?.ls exclu.si veJ.y

o:rde-:c, al--thouch the l .. ~e-;:J.ta.l Heal t1.:. Trj_-blJ.Y.:?-.1 revl GY·iS rjuch

pat5 .. e:n.ts i.f tbey apply, 2.nd for·wa~cd.s t:hej_r :cecormne:n/tR.tj .. oYlS to

the Home Sec:eeta.ry <) ~rhe Ad.vj_sox-y Board to the Eor:.e S8creta~cy,

e. non-statuto:r~y 1)oc1y (descri.hed. i11 :pa:::·a.craph 3 ~34.), J~eviE~VlS

}X::trttcu1r:.tx• rest~cictec1 pat:Lents ~ At prese\1t the Ailv:l..sory

_;;11'~

-55-

reJease G.P.s liAs

ix1 orcle:r~ to be este.~ulishec1 ~ Fo~veve:c', this m2.J' 1Je se2:n. as

desirrt.b1e 7 in orcler to safee;varct tJ.1e richt of t!'!e o.fferHJer

to systen<:?.t5.c revJ evT.,

7" 17 ·J:Ihc core :Lssue focuses on wJJ.etheJ:: the soJ.e res1JO:ns:Lb:i .. 1ity fox: the cf::.rt:J ~~:n.:l. custody of G~J?~s s}Jc·~_,_lcl l)e

vested i.n on~~ cle;>:-~ .. r-trnent o This neec1s to be :cesolvscl. befo:r·e

the full. 5.m~)Jications of tlle est.aOJ.is}:n'fle:n.t of sueT: a :cevj.e:w

board ear~ be assest>ed . ., At :rn~ese:n_t ·both the 1~~.i': 15t~-l~er of

Justice eo.x1.rl. the JTj.nLster of Hc:a.1-Sh CE\il. be Lnvolved :.l.n

fo:r'wardLn.g reco:r.:rnen.d.ations t~o the Gu1re:cnor Q

7.18 The present legislation, in relation to G.P.s, has remained largely u:nchanged since 1878. However • many changes have since occurred in ·i;he manag<;ment and treatment of the mentedly ill, with far more emphasis on cornmuni ty programmes.

7. "19 This report is an attempt to present a factua.l description of the current management of G.P.s from the court process to release. Any attempts to streamline the legislation and administrative procedures relating to Governor's Pleasure detainees needs to take into account the following ethical and administrative issues. E"l:hica1 ge_ue.§!.:

detention in prisml .crf: a:n· Qf:fe11der who is acquitted of any criminal responsibility; the rights of the il1dividual to ade~aate treatment and to systematic review; the limitations of the assessment of dangerousness and its predid;ion.

-56-

Administrative issues: -- ---the di:fi'ioulties in the dual responsibility of the

Department o:f Corrective Services and the Health Commission in the care and custody of G.P.s.

the difficulties of assessment in a prison setti:ng;

the role of the Parole Board as the reviewing boc'.y o

- 57 -

1. The A~Jd ROP2l!, H.M.S.O., 1973.

3. ~·' p. 69.

p. 70.

5.

7. "Special Hosp1tals 11 , Ministry o:f Health H.JE.s.o. quoted in N. Walker, op. cit., p.12..

8.

9.

lb~d.'

11. ~ •• p. 63.

12.

13. "B tl R -'-" "'~"~ i·' 59 u er epor" •2..:• c ,, , , p. •

14. ill5!·· p. 58.

15. ~.. p. 60.

16.

17. ~ •• p. 72.

18. The study is quoted in H.J. Steadman, 2n~~·

19.' H.J. Steadman, ~., p. 104.

-58-

21. ~ •• p. 140

23. H.r,, Kozol, R.J. Boucher & R.F. G-arofalo, "The Diagnosis and Treatment of Dangerousness11• in Crim~a.;~a. It21i11.~.£Z• Oct. 1972, p. 371-392.

25.

26. ButlerReport, Q..ll.~<;:j,!., p. 65.

27.

28.

29.

30. L. Fink, "The Criminal Mental Patient: Tho Step·~ Child of Psvchj.atry in Excer,.,ta Meil.5.ca. International Congress sei-:ra:J:"'·7K/.b'"T'rt';~A.msterdam 1966 o

31. Butler Report, Q..ll.~ ... s!:!~,-. p. 68.

32. Ibid .• -33.

34. Ibid., p. 38. --35. ];b:Lq_. • p. 22 o

fcE~JTAL !-FLATH ACT 1S'c8. ---''"'"""'"'-~-··-

23. (1) If any person indi.cted for any offence is mentally ill and,

u;.~on , is found to be so by a jury lavvfu-11/ empane1led for

th:::::.t purpcse, so trva.t. such person ca.nnot be tried upon such indictment,

or if upon the trial. of any person so i;~dicted such. person is found by

ths jury, before whom he is tried, to be mentally ill, ths judge before

whom any such person ·121 brought to be arraigned or tried as aforesaid

may direct such finding to be recorded, and thereupon may order such

person to be, kept in strict custody in such place and in such manner as to

such judge msy seem fit until he is dealt with as provided by section

twenty-four of this Act.

(2) In all cases ·where it is given in evidence upon the trial of

any person charged with any treason, felony or misdemeanour that such

person vvas 1 at the time the act or omission the subject of the charge

was done or omitted to be dor:e, mentally i.ll, and such person is acquitted,

the jury shall be requil"ed to find spec;ially whether such person was at

such time mentally ill and to declare whether such person was acquitted

by them on the ground that he was at such time mentally ill.

In this subsecti.on "mentally il1" means in relation to any person

charged as aforesaid, ~-:;o insane as not to be responsible, according to

law, for the act or omission the subject of the charge.

(3) If the jury find that such person was at the time t:-le act or

omission the subject of the charge weis done or omitted to he done mentally

ill as aforesaid, the judge before whom such trial is had shall order

such person to be kept in strict custody, in such place and in such manner

·as to such judge seems fit until the' Governor's pleasure is known, and

thereupon the Governor may give such order for the safe custody of

such person during the Governor's pleasure in a prison as the Governor

deems fit.

(4) Upon the receipt of certificates by two medical practitioners

in or to the effect of the form of Schedule Three, the Governor, by

warrant under his hand, may direct that such person be conveyed to and

detained in a mental llospi tal during the Governor's pleasure,

rv1enta.1]

29.

Go verne \' ''

custody of ~-3iJCh per:::.mn rnay br::: renewed and varied from tj.me to time or

revoked; :::1r,d the GCJ\/<:?rnor :::ay

convey:;c.d ~co and dtab.'O·lined :i..n a tn8nt~al ho'.'-'>p:i. tal pursuent to a d:i.rsction

by the GovE:rnor l not being a pc;rson under conviction and sentence} to

be liberated from custody or suc1·1 mental hospital, upon such terms and

conditions as the Governor may think fit; and if any such term or

condition :is brokenf such person may be retaken and dealt with as

provided in section thirty of this Act.

29A. (1) This section sh.<U.., notw.;thst:;nd"'.ng ar.yth"ng in th:is Act,

apply to all persons detained i.n a mental hospital pursuant to the

provisions of this Part of tllis Act.

(2) Special leave of absence may in an emergency be granted,

upon such terms and conditions as hereinafter approved, by the

superintendent to ar.y person to whom this section app1ies'o

No such leave shall be granted unless the Minister has

approved of a recommendation of the superintendent for this purpose

and of the terms and conditions upon which such lea\.8 shall be granted.

No such recommendation shall be made by the superintendent

unless the superintendent is of the opinion that no. danger to the

community or any member therof vvould result if the person in rsspect

of whom the recommendation is made were granted such leave.

If any term or condition upon which special leave o absence

is granted to any person pursuant to this section is broken such

person may be reta'c<:en and dealt with as provided in section thirty

of this Act.

(3) In this section -

"emergency' tneans visit to a sick or dying near relative,

attendance at the funeral of a near relative or such other

circumstance as may be deemed by the superintendent and

approved by the Minister as an emergency;

"near relative" has the meaning ascribed thereto in suusection

seven of section twelve of this Act.

298 ( 1) If 3t the ("xpiration of six months from the date of

his conveyance, removal or bej_ng sent to a montal hospi ta1 pursuc:.mt

to the provisions of this Part of this Act, such person is still

a person detained in a mental hospi ta.l pursum<t to tl·re provisions

of this F'art of th:Lu f.\c 'c, the

as soon as practicablE;, cause such person to be brought before a

Tribunal as constituted under section thirt:een of' thj.s A.ct for

examination.

The Tribunal shall determine whether or not such person

should be detained in a mental hospital for further observation

and treatment.

If the Tribuna.l determines that such person should be so

detained such person shall be , detained in accordance with such

determination.

If the Tribunal determine" that such person should not be

so detained, such person shall, if he remains subject to be

continued in custody, be removed to the prison or other place

from where he was taken or to some other prison or place of

confinement or if such person does not remain subject to be

continued j_n custody he shall be discharged,