Victims Rights

I am the Uncle of Jessica Short who was murdered by an escapee from Connecticut Valley Hospital. Jessica lived in Wallingford as do I. There is a bill SB450 that would greatly impact my family and other victims families and the community at large in reference to Whiting Forensic Institute. We support this bill for most of the items contained except the following:
What this bill would do:

1) Create another task force to “include, but need not be limited to, an examination of the necessity for the continued existence of the PSRB”

· It is unclear why this taskforce is suggested, it is not addressed in the Whiting Task Force report or in the bill. There is no one to represent the voice of the victim or the public as is proposed in the bill. One can only assume this suggestion is related to a question of efficacy of the Board. Data has demonstrated that the Board is effective. The recidivism rate of persons under PSRB jurisdiction are extremely low. Assessing Insanity Acquittee Recidivism in Connecticut (article).

2) Change statutes so Whiting Forensic Hospital would be more treated as any other psychiatric hospital in the state; the hospital administration would be able to authorize temporary leaves of patients, even patients under the jurisdiction of the PSRB

· This eliminates the opportunity for victims (and the public) to receive notification of when an acquittee has unsupervised time in the community. The Board’s process (hearing) is the way by which the community and the victim receive notice. The Board often modifies or supplements temporary leave plans to ensure the acquittee has proper supports and oversight. This also eliminates the victims opportunity to make a victims impact statement. Temporary Leave occurs when a person is establishing themselves into the community and preparing for Conditional Release. This can include a person going to day treatment to living in the community full time (with weekly check ins at the hospital). The Boards involvement and oversight at this stage of the process is critical to risk mitigation and knowledge for planning for potential community release.

We humbly ask you to Contact your State Representative and Senator to have these 2 items removed or revised from the bill.

If you have any questions please comment below.