[Dion]

Chair of Manitoba Review Board talks

John Stefaniuk is the chair of the Manitoba Criminal Code Review Board and he sat on the panel that heard Baker's case. While he can't speak to the particular case, Stefaniuk said the threshold for the board is whether a person poses a significant threat to the safety of the public.

"This is a balancing of rights and interests, but the protection of the public is the paramount consideration," he said.

The panel is made up of three people including a psychiatrist and a lawyer with at least 10 years' experience. The board hears evidence from the accused patient's treatment team including psychiatrists, mental health workers, social workers, family members and sometimes the individuals themselves.

"We weigh all the material on their files, medical reports, psychiatric reports, psychologist reports, and all of that goes into making of the decision," he said

Stefaniuk said he recognizes there is concern about whether any individual who is granted an absolute discharge will continue to follow the recommendations, such as continuing to take their medication, but rates of recidivism are low.

"Rates of violent acts among review board patients is very low — around [the] five per cent mark — much, much less than the general criminal population," he said

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manito...rose-1.3978761