Society’s response to those found not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder
A number of Canadians have recently been found not criminally responsible for their crimes due to mental disorder. Recent high-profile—and shocking—cases include those of Vince Li in Manitoba, Rostislav Soukonnik in Alberta, Charlene Chambers and Adenir De Oliveira in Ontario, and Kimberly Ruth Noyes in B.C. Each killed while in the grip of mental illness and each was found not criminally responsible due to their mental condition at the time.
While many of the accused who suffer from a mental disorder are tried and convicted within the criminal justice system, some are found to be “not criminally responsible” due to a mental disorder. Society’s reactions and responses to these situations varies. In Vancouver Dr. Dorle Kneifel was viciously assaulted by a tenant in her home; now she’s suing him after he was found not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder. And advocates remind us that people with mental illness are no more violent than the general population is.
We speak with Christopher Schneider, an assistant professor of sociology with University of British Columbia, and with Brittany Thiessen, who is studying criminal justice, sociology and psychology at the University of Winnipeg.
