At a Glance
ROBERT B. BERGER, ESQ., Chairman
Established – 1985
Statutory
Authority –
Conn. Gen. Stat.
Sec.
17a-581
Central
Office – 505
Hudson Street, First Floor,
Hartford,
Connecticut 06106
Number
of Employees – 4
Recurring
Operating Expenses -
$347,615
Organizational Structure – One Administrative Unit
To protect the safety of Connecticut citizens and certain individuals by ordering appropriate treatment, con-finement or conditional release of persons accused of crimes but found not guilty by reason of mental disease or mental defect.
Statutory Responsibility
The Board, through an administrative hearing process,
determines the level of supervision and treatment for an acquittee deemed
necessary to protect society. The
Board, based on its legal findings on the danger that an acquittee poses, due
to his/her mental condition, orders confinement in a maximum-security facility,
orders confinement at a psychiatric hospital, approves temporary leave for a
confined acquittee, orders placement in the custody of the Commissioner of
Mental Retardation or grants conditional release. In addition, the Board makes recommendations on the issue of
discharge or continued commitment to the Superior Court.
The general public is the beneficiary of the agency's work. Effectiveness of the agency's work is measured by the recidivism rate of this criminal population. During this fiscal year, there were two motor vehicle violations by conditionally released acquittee(s). There were no escapes from custody at Connecticut Valley Hospital. One acquittee was arrested for a misdomeanor while utilizing his temporary leave, and three acquittees residing in the hospital were arrested on various charges.
During 2004-2005, 177 persons were under the Board's
jurisdiction. This fiscal year, five
persons were committed to the Board by the Superior Court, and 15 acquittees'
commitment terms were extended. Nine
persons have been removed from the Board's jurisdiction: three acquittees' commitment terms expired;
four acquittees were discharged by the Superior Court and two acquittees died.
In 2004-2005,
the Board held 176 hearings and 24 case conferences resulting in 184 orders
being issued. There was a three and one
half-percent denial by the Board of applications for a change in placement or
status of an acquittee. The status of
the persons under the jurisdiction of the Board as of June 30, 2005 is as
follows: 27-percent confined in maximum-security at Connecticut Valley
Hospital, 58-percent confined in a non-maximum security setting at Connecticut
Valley Hospital, 14-percent on conditional release, and one-percent in custody
of the Commissioner of Mental Retardation.
Of the 98 acquittees confined in a non-maximum security setting at
Connecticut Valley Hospital, 31 acquittes have temporary leave. The number of acquittees housed in
maximum-security has decreased for the past three consecutive years. Over the past year, the number of acquittees
on temporary leave has increased by 25-percent from last fiscal year.
·
Maintained
quarterly treatment team meetings with community service providers and DMHAS
regarding all conditionally released acquittees.
·
Drafted
a Conditional Release Procedure Manual in collaboration with the Department of
Mental Health & Addiction Services, to be used as a resource by community
service providers.
·
Revised
PSRB training for community providers to reflect recovery-oriented principles.
·
Maintained
zero percent recidivism of conditional release population, as reflected by no
arrests.
·
Implemented
a pilot program for quarterly reporting on selected conditionally released
acquittees.
·
Successfully
defended the constitutionality of the Board’s statute governing the matter of
continued commitment.
·
Revised
Connecticut General Statutes governing the Board in the matter of eligibility
for appointment of certain Board members.
·
Increased
collaboration with DMHAS regarding a variety of system and communication
issues.
·
Maintained
spending at allocated levels.
·
Complied
with Executive Order Number 30 through the posting of the hearing agenda on the
Board’s website, thus eliminating the need for hard copies and associated
mailing costs.
·
Accessed
statewide contract for court reporting services, realizing a fifteen-percent
savings.
The Board's
strategic plan includes:
·
Working
with Department of Information Technology and Department of Pubic Safety to
implement Psychiatric Security Review Board no contact orders on the statewide
registry for restraining, protective and no contact orders.
·
Increasing
outreach to community providers responsible for the delivery of treatment
services to acquittees.
·
Upgrading
telecommunication system.
·
Upgrading
office computers and printers in collaboration with information system
personnel.
·
In
collaboration with the Office of Attorney General, defend Connecticut General
Statutes and Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies that govern the Board in
the matter of the placement of acquittees in maximum-security.
The Board's strategic planning process also includes a collaborative process with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to address service system issues for this acquittee population. The goals and objectives include:
·
Enhancing
integration of risk management practices into treatment plans for acquittees.
·
Streamlining
procedures for the submission of conditional release and temporary leave
applications.
·
Fostering
the quality of information and testimony presented to the Board.
The Board members for 2004-2005 were Robert Berger, Esq.,
Julia Ramos Grenier, Ph.D., John Ryan, Sylvia Cancela and Susan Blair. The position of psychiatrist
is currently vacant.
The Board is assisted by the Department of Mental Health and
Addiction Services in meeting the Affirmative Action requirements of the
statute and follows such regulations of the Department of Mental Health and
Addiction Services.