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There are two high profile cases involving the Not Criminally Responsible on account of Mental Disorder (NCRMD) defence in Canada, so it's an opportune time to dispel some myths. 
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1/10
The NCRMD defence is extremely rare. Fewer than 0.5% of criminal cases in Canada result in an NCRMD verdict. Most people have repeatedly sought mental health treatment leading up to their index offence. 2/10
Most NCRMD cases don't involve homicide and serious violence. Common assault and threats are most common. 3/10
People found NCRMD haven't escaped punishment. They are injected into the forensic mental health system where they spend considerable time being surveilled, controlled, and treated by forensic mental health professionals. Their liberty is controlled by a judicial tribunal. 4/10
The time a person spends detained in hospital or under community supervision isn't proportionate to the severity of their crimes. People found NCRMD tend to spend much longer under detention and supervision in the forensic system. 5/10
My interviews with 100+ people found NCRMD reveal how painful and punishing the experience of being detained in a forensic hospital and supervised in the community for extended and indeterminate time can be. Short films I co-developed show this 
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https://vimeo.com/channels/fmhsuccessstories/videos
6/10https://vimeo.com/channels/fmhsuccessstories/videos
Restrictions on the liberty of people found NCRMD are adjusted based on their current level of risk for violence. Someone who continues to be a risk will be detained in hospital for a long period of time -- sometimes decades. 7/10
Recidivism (i.e., reoffending) rates are very low and it is extremely rare for people found NCRMD to reoffend violently. The recidivism rates in the forensic system are significantly lower (more than half) than the recidivism rate in the penal system. 8/10
It is immoral and unjust for societies to hold people criminally responsible when they lack the required mental elements (mens rea). This has been the embedded in criminal law for centuries. Upholding this principle is important in a just and fair society. 9/10
I highly recommend that you watch one of the best documentaries on the NCRMD verdict to date 10/10 https://www.nfb.ca/film/ncr_not_criminally_responsible/
10/10 https://www.nfb.ca/film/ncr_not_criminally_responsible/
