The family of a Halifax murder victim is speaking out about a report into policies at Nova Scotia’s East Coast Forensic Hospital.
Raymond Taavel’s family says the report simply doesn’t go far enough and that more must be done to protect the public.
Nearly nine months have passed since Taavel was killed outside a bar on Gottingen Street.
Andre Noel Denny is charged with second-degree murder in Taavel’s death. Denny was on an unescorted leave from the hospital the night Taavel died, and his legal status has yet to be resolved.
A review into the facility and its practices was released in September and Taavel’s family is breaking their silence after examining the report.
They say they are pleased with the 18 recommendations in the review, but also say they don’t go quite far enough.
Lawyer Sean Foreman spoke on behalf of the family from Calgary. He says there are two key issues with the report.
“No mentally-ill offender is ever released to the public with an unescorted pass prior to having a legally-required review by the Criminal Code Review Board,” said Foreman via phone.
The Taavel family also says GPS technology should be used to keep track of inmates at the East Coast Forensic Hospital whenever they are in public.
“I think that he would be pleased that Darren, his partner, and this family have followed the proceedings and done their best to make sure that what happened is not forgotten,” says Taavel’s friend and co-worker Tynette Deveaux.
Health and Wellness Minister Dave Wilson tells CTV News significant progress has been made since the report was released almost two months ago, but that he and Justice Minister Ross Landry would be happy to sit down and discuss improvements with the Taavel family.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ron Shaw
