ORB 2025

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault.

The accused suffers from autism spectrum disorder and other conditions, and has a history of significant behavioural issues requiring hospital detention.

Based on the joint position of the parties and the evidence of the treating psychiatrist, the Board concluded that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current disposition detaining the accused at the hospital, with the modification that reviews will now be held annually rather than every two years.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused who was previously found unfit to stand trial on a charge of sexual assault.

The hospital and the Crown submitted that the accused remains unfit to stand trial and continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, recommending a continuation of the conditional discharge.

The accused's counsel accepted that the accused is likely permanently unfit.

The Board accepted the medical evidence that the accused suffers from dementia and significant medical issues, and remains a significant threat to public safety due to a history of inappropriate sexual touching.

The Board ordered the continuation of the conditional discharge.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review and restriction of liberty hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault offences.

The accused, who has treatment-resistant schizophrenia, experienced a significant mental health decline, leading to assaultive behaviour and a prolonged period of locked seclusion.

Based on a joint submission and psychiatric evidence, the Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of a Detention Disposition at the hospital and concluded that the restriction of liberty was warranted, necessary, and appropriate.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for violent offences.

All parties agreed the accused remained a significant threat to public safety.

Based on evidence that the accused's condition had markedly improved on clozapine with no recent incidents of aggression, the Board ordered his transfer from a high-secure facility to the medium-secure Brockville Mental Health Centre, with accompanied grounds privileges.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for sexual assault and assault with a weapon.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorder, had a positive reporting year with no readmissions, full medication adherence, and nearly two years of substance abstinence.

The Board found that while the accused remains a significant threat to public safety, his risk can be adequately managed in the community.

The Board ordered a Conditional Discharge with conditions including residency at a supported accommodation and abstinence from intoxicants.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing and a restriction of liberty hearing for the accused, who was found not criminally responsible for assault and assault with intent to resist arrest.

The accused, who has schizophrenia and a major cognitive disorder, experienced physical health challenges and homelessness, necessitating readmissions to the hospital and restrictions of liberty.

The Board accepted the joint submission that the restrictions of liberty were justified and necessary, and that no change to the current Detention Order was required, as the accused requires 24-hour supervision and awaits long-term care placement.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and mischief.

The accused has a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder and a lengthy criminal history.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his history of non-compliance, substance use, and rapid decompensation when granted increased community access.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order at the hospital with no changes to its terms and conditions.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for sexual assault.

The hospital and Crown supported continuing the current disposition, which included residing in 24-hour supervised accommodation, and the accused's counsel agreed, conceding significant threat.

The Board accepted the joint submission, noting the accused's limited behavioural progress and ongoing plans to find community housing, and ordered a continued Detention Order.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault.

The accused, diagnosed with a persecutory delusional disorder, had been living in the community at a highly supported housing accommodation under a conditional discharge.

The Board accepted the joint position of the parties and the psychiatric evidence that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, as his delusions would likely intensify if he ceased medication.

The Board ordered that the conditional discharge be maintained as the least onerous and least restrictive disposition, with a modification that his housing need not be strictly stipulated as the current high-support facility.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for uttering death threats.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, resides in transitional housing and continues to experience significant delusional ideation.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety, as he lacks insight into his illness and would likely disengage from care and become verbally threatening if discharged.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order to allow the hospital to manage his transition to permanent housing, while removing the urine drug screen requirement and reducing the reporting frequency.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review restrictions of liberty imposed on the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon, and to consider the hospital's request to transfer him to a high-security facility.

The accused had assaulted a co-patient and several staff members, resulting in his placement in seclusion and locked rooms.

The Board found that the restrictions of liberty were necessary and appropriate to protect patients and staff.

The Board also ordered the accused's transfer to the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health, concluding that the current medium-security hospital lacked the specialized dual-diagnosis resources and security required to manage his complex mental disorders and significant risk to public safety.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an 86-year-old accused who was previously found unfit to stand trial on a charge of manslaughter.

The accused suffers from progressive dementia and resides in a behavioural support unit at a long-term care facility.

Based on the hospital report and the testimony of her treating psychiatrist, the Board found that the accused remains globally unfit to stand trial and continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to her history of aggressivity.

The Board ordered the continuation of her conditional discharge, finding it to be the least onerous and least restrictive disposition that manages the risk while meeting her mental health and cultural needs.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault in 1996.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and polysubstance use disorder, was unable to attend due to a recent hospitalization for a physical injury.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his ongoing symptoms, limited insight, and historical risk of violence when non-compliant with medication or using substances.

The Board ordered a continuation of the conditional discharge but removed the abstain and submit conditions, noting his lack of access to substances and the vigilance of his residence staff.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's conditional discharge following a finding of not criminally responsible for harassing communications and criminal harassment.

The accused, who has schizoaffective disorder and a history of substance use, had recently relapsed into substance use after a period of stability.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties and the uncontradicted hospital evidence that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The conditional discharge was maintained with the same conditions, including substance screening.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for assault and referred to the Ontario Review Board for an initial disposition.

The accused, who suffers from bipolar affective disorder and a mild intellectual disability, assaulted a nurse while experiencing a manic episode.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to a high risk of medication non-compliance and decompensation if discharged without supportive housing and community psychiatric care.

A detention order was imposed.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for attempted murder and failure to comply with a probation order.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, did not attend the hearing.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to ongoing psychotic symptoms, lack of insight, and treatment incapability.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order at the hospital without change to its terms.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for sexual assault and assault.

The accused has schizophrenia and a substance use disorder.

The Board accepted the joint position of the parties and the uncontroverted psychiatric evidence that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current Detention Disposition at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, finding it necessary and appropriate to manage the risk while meeting the accused's needs.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for criminal harassment.

The Board found that the accused, who is diagnosed with schizophrenia, continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to ongoing symptoms, limited insight, and a moderate risk of violence.

The Board ordered the continuation of his conditional discharge, but removed the condition prohibiting the consumption of intoxicating substances, as substance use was no longer deemed a risk factor.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for second-degree murder.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, had made positive progress in hospital but remained susceptible to stress and experienced ongoing auditory hallucinations.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties and the uncontradicted hospital evidence that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered that the accused remain subject to a detention order with privileges including indirectly supervised access to the hospital grounds and accompanied access to the community.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for assault and uttering threats.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder, remained compliant with medication but continued to abuse alcohol, posing a risk of decompensation.

The Board found the accused continued to represent a significant threat to public safety.

Accepting a joint submission, the Board continued the detention disposition at the secure forensic unit while granting extended privileges for travel abroad to visit family, subject to hospital approval, to motivate further therapeutic engagement.