CTV News has learned the New Brunswick and federal governments are working on an agreement to keep not-criminally-responsible (NCR) patients with high-security needs in a federal institution.
For years, NCR patients in New Brunswick have been sent to the Shepody Healing Centre, a federally-run mental health institution, within Dorchester Penitentiary. The former Conservative government under Stephen Harper; however, said these patients were a provincial responsibility, and gave the province a deadline to move them out of the institution.
On Tuesday though, New Brunswick Health Minister Victor Boudreau confirmed negotiations are ongoing to keep NCR patients in Shepody.
“The issue at play here,if you will,is that we have a new federal government,” said Boudreau, “and a new federal government that seems willing to reconsider its position vis-à-vis Shepody.”
The deadline for the province to come up with a plan was Sept. 1. That’s been extended to Dec. 31, according to Correctional Services Canada.
“There are still some provincial NCR patients at Shepody, because their specific security requirements cannot currently be met by the province. We anticipate a negotiated agreement could be in place by Dec. 31, 2016,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“I think if we can remain within Shepody, status quo somewhat, maybe have to disperse a few dollars, it would still be a cheaper alternative for us than having to put up our own facility and our own program,” said Boudreau.
The province was considering transferring the NCR patients to Dartmouth’s East Coast Forensic Hospital, or adding a unit to the Dalhousie Correctional Centre, according to documents obtained by CTV News.
Keeping NCR patients at Shepody would be a relief, according to Mary Kennedy-Fulton.
“Our stand is still the same as a family that we want Mr. Despres to be in a locked facility – away from the public, and getting his mental health treatment,” said Kennedy-Fulton in an interview in March.
Kennedy-Fulton’s two family members were murdered by NCR patient Gregory Despres in 2005.
Fred Fulton and Verna Decarie were stabbed to death by Despres 11 years ago in April. Despres was deemed not-criminally responsible for the murders, suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. He never admitted to the crime.
“I still see him as a danger to the public,” she said.
It’s also a relief to some provincial correctional workers.
CUPE Local 1251 president Maurice LeBlanc said he had been informed changes could come to the Dalhousie Correctional Centre, in order to accept NCR patients.
LeBlanc said members were concerned about a lack of training and resources when it comes to dealing with NCR patients or inmates with mental health issues.
He said he has been informed those plan have been stalled for now.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Laura Brown.
