THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1983
6
WORKING GROUP REPORTS ON EX-MENTAL PATIENTS
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THE WORKING GROUP SET UP BY THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES IN JUNE LAST YEAR FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT AT THE ANN ANN KINDERGARTEN HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED ITS WORK, AND COPIES OF ITS REPORT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR INFORMATION.
THE AIM OF THE WORKING GROUP, IN ITS SIMPLEST TERMS, WAS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF AN EX-MENTAL PATIENT COMMITTING AN ACT OF CRIMINAL VIOLENCE. THE WORKING GROUP HAS RECOGNISED THAT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO ELIMINATE COMPLETELY THE RISK OF ANY INDIVIDUAL COMMITTING A VIOLENT ACT, BUT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT SHOULD REDUCE THE RISK.
ONLY A MINORITY OF EX-MENTAL PATIENTS HAVE A KNOWN DISPOSITION TO VIOLENCE AND OF THESE ONLY A VERY SMALL PROPORTION SUBSEQUENTLY COMMIT VIOLENT OFFENCES. IT IS IMPORTANT TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE PROTECTION OF THE COMMUNITY, AND THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL PATIENT TO RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY WHEN HIS TREATMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
THE WORKING PARTY REVIEWED
* THE PREVALENCE OF CRIMINAL VIOLENCE AMONG EX-MENTAL
PATIENTS;
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THE AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS OF EX-MENTAL PATIENTS WITH A HISTORY OF CRIMINAL VIOLENCE, OR ASSESSED DISPOSITION TO VIOLENCE;
THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTARY RECORDS OF SUCH PERSONS.;
* THE PROCEDURES FOR THE AFTERCARE OF EX-MENTAL PATIENTS:
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THE PRESENT AND PLANNED RESOURCES FOR AFTERCARE AND OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES;
* THE PROVISIONS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE (CAP. 136)
WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE DESIRABILITY OF INCLUDING PROVISIONS THERE IN TO PERMIT THE MEDICAL SUPER INTENDENT OF A MENTAL HOSPITAL TO RECALL A DISCHARGED PATIENT FOR OBSERVATION OR FURTHER TREATMENT: AND TO REQUIRE DISCHARGED PATIENTS TO ATTEND REGULARLY AT PSYCHIATRIC OUT-PATIENT CLINICS.
THE REPORT'S RECOMMENDATIONS
THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SUMMARISED IN CHAPTER 6 OF THE REPORT. THE MORE IMPORTANT ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS -
(A) THE REPORT