Legal Resources
ASSESSMENTS
Medical/Psychological
Reports | Contact Information | Note
to Defence Lawyers
Part XX.1 of the Criminal Code applies to young persons
as well as to adults. Accordingly, when issues of fitness
and/or criminal responsibility arise, counsel should refer
to that Part.
The
Youth Criminal Justice Act, however, provides for
medical and psychological reports in other circumstances.
These are described in section
34 of the YCJA and on the Justice Canada website
in the Evidence,
Statements and Reports module.
In
Alberta, the resources that are available to respond to a
court order pursuant to either the Criminal Code
or the YCJA are located in four service areas: Calgary,
Edmonton, Northern Alberta and Southern Alberta.
When the order originates in Calgary, in-custody assessments
can be completed at the Calgary Young Offender Centre (CYOC)
through the Forensic Adolescent Program (FAP) or at Alberta
Hospital Edmonton (AHE) through the Turningpoint Program.
The out of custody assessments can be completed through FAP.
When the order originates in Edmonton, in-custody assessments
are completed at AHE in the Turningpoint Program. The out
of custody assessments are completed through Centerpoint
Program.
When the order originates in Northern Alberta, in-custody
assessments are normally completed through AHE's Turningpoint
program. The out of custody assessments are coordinated through
the Northern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Program's Community
Geographic Team.
When the order originates in Southern Alberta, in custody
assessments are normally completed either at AHE's Turningpoint
program or through FAP at CYOC. Out of custody assessments
are coordinated through the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry
Program's Community Geographic Team.
Both Geographic Teams utilize a combination
of local resources, traveling resources and telemental health
services to respond to court
ordered assessments. On occasion, out
of custody assessments, depending on the nature
of the case and the availability of a specialized professional
may need to be completed in one of the large urban cities.
These programs normally use a multi-disciplinary
team to conduct assessments.
Forensic Adolescent Program
#5, 2681-36 Street NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 5S3
(403) 297-7701
Fran Barnes - Manager
Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Keriem - Clinical Director
Turningpoint Program 3-6 Unit
Alberta Hospital Edmonton Site
PO Box 307, Edmonton, AB T5J 2J7
(780) 472-5533
Leslie Kirkby - Manager
Dr José Mejia - Clinical Director
Centerpoint Program
7th Floor, 10242-105th Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3L5
(780) 428-0455 Ext 261
Bob Reddick - Manager
Dr Otto Cadsky - Clinical Director
Community Geographic Team
Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Program
Peter Lougheed Centre, 3500-26 Avenue NE, Calgary, AB T1Y
6J4
(403) 943-5663
Peter Halpin - Manager
Community Geographic Team
Northern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Program
8th Floor, 10242-105th Street,
Edmonton, AB
T5J 3L5
(780) 428-0455 Ext 262
Brendan Walsh - Manager
These forensic professionals work directly
for either Capital Health or the Calgary
Health Region. Forensics remains a provincial program and
the Alberta Mental Health Board has responsibility
for planning, advocacy, research, monitoring, and evaluation
of mental health services.
The Edmonton and Calgary Health Authorities
are responsible for province wide service delivery.
Both report to the Minister of Health & Wellness.
The Alberta Solicitor General works closely
with Health & Wellness,
the AMHB, and the Regional Health Authorities on all forensic
services.
Copies of Court ordered assessment reports are, of course,
provided to the Court and to the Crown as well as defence
counsel. The Youth Criminal Defence Office can facilitate
private psychological assessments for young persons who have
legal aid coverage and are represented by the YCDO or a member
of the private bar. The Child and Adolescent Services Association
conduct the assessments and there is no charge to the client
for the service. Contact Senior Counsel of the YCDO if you
would like to arrange a private psychological assessment.
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