The Creston Valley Public Library film club kicks off the new year on Jan. 14 with Not Criminally Responsible, a feature documentary about violence, mental illness and the rights of victims.
Directed by John Kastner, Not Criminally Responsible tells the story of a troubled young man who stabbed a complete stranger six times in a crowded shopping mall while gripped by psychosis. Twelve years later, his victim, who miraculously survived, is terrified to learn that the man responsible for his near-death is out, living in the community under supervision, applying for an absolute discharge, which, if successful, will mean he will no longer be required to take the anti-psychotic drugs that control his mental illness. With unprecedented access to the patient, the victim and the mental institution, the film looks at both sides of the debate and puts a human face on the complex ethical issues raised.
There has been a quiet revolution in recent years in the treatment of people with mental disorders who commit an act of violence. Not long ago, such patients would almost certainly have been considered hopelessly deranged and dangerous, and confined to an institution for the criminally insane for life.
Not anymore. Today people declared not criminally responsible are frequently being released back onto the streets, a number of them potentially extremely dangerous men and women, not only suicidal but homicidal. Most are incurable.
In February 2013, Prime Minister Stephen Harper introduced the Not Criminally Responsible Reform Act, which addresses concerns raised by victims of crime with respect to accused persons found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder. Does the legislation ensure that not criminally responsible accused people found to be too dangerous to release are no longer a threat to their victims or Canadian communities? Are not criminally responsible offenders receiving the treatment they need?
See this National Film Board production at the Creston Valley Public Library at 7:00 p.m. Jan. 14. Admission is free. Running time is 100 minutes. For more information, call the library at 250-428-4141.
—CRESTON VALLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY