Editor:
Judge Walter accurately describes the Review Board process in Canada. He clarifies the concept of significant threat. However, his critique of the sentence “From a practical perspective, mentally ill individuals could be released prematurely…” requires clarification. The reader should place emphasis on the word “could.” Finally, he takes issue with the sentence, “Perhaps a standardized form could be used when the reasons for disposition are made which allow for further rigorous study in the future.” Limitations of our study were stated, including the difficulty in studying the complex decision-making process of the Review Board in a retrospective chart review. The development of a form was merely a suggestion.
- American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law