Our Mission
The Board’s primary concerns are the protection of society and the safety and well-being of the acquittee. The Board accomplishes this by ordering treatment, confinement or conditional release of persons acquitted of a crime by reason of mental disease or defect.
What Is The Psychiatric Security Review Board?
The Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) is a state agency to which the Superior Court commits persons who are found not guilty of a crime by reason of mental disease or mental defect. These individuals are called "acquittees." The PSRB’s responsibility is to review the status of acquittees through an administrative hearing process and order the level of supervision and treatment for the acquittee necessary to protect the public. The Board is governed by Connecticut General Statutes, Sections 17a-580 through 17a-603.
The PSRB, at the time of commitment, takes jurisdiction over the acquittee and decides which hospital an acquittee is to be confined and when and under what circumstances an acquittee can be released into the community.
The Board carries out this responsibility by the review of six month reports on the acquittee and by conducting hearings on a two year basis or at such time the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Department of Developmental Services, the conditional release supervisor, the provider of treatment or the acquittee applies to the Board for a change in status.
The general findings and orders that the PSRB issues are: confinement in a hospital for the mentally ill or placement with the Commissioner of Developmental Services, approval of temporary leave, approval of conditional release with specific conditions, modification or termination of conditional release, recommendations for discharge or continued confinement to the court.
The Board is composed of six members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by either house of the General Assembly. The board members are designated to represent professional expertise in the fields of law, probation/parole services, psychology, psychiatry, victim services, and the interest of the general community.