The Public Safety Review Panel was established by the Washington State Legislature in 2010 (Chapter 263).
The panel is tasked with assessing the potential public safety risk and providing written recommendations to the Secretary of DSHS and to the Courts related to the requested conditional release or unconditional release of patients acquitted as not guilty by reason of insanity who are committed to the care and custody of the department for inpatient treatment at a state facility.
In 2013, the legislature expanded the jurisdiction of the PSRP to include reviewing requests for staff-escorted authorized leave and final discharge for patients civilly committed to DSHS for inpatient treatment at a state facility who were found by the court to be incompetent to stand trial for a violent offense (chapter 289).
Operation of the PSRP
The PSRP operates under the statutory authority of RCW 10.77.139, and business is conducted in accordance with the by-laws developed by the PSRP. The PSRP began reviewing cases and rendering recommendations in January 2011. Review meetings are held at least monthly and are not open to the public due to patient confidentiality. Referrals for review are received by the PSRP from Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration .
PSRP Review Process:
- Review of patient/resident information, which includes documentation relevant to the patient/resident’s request, progress in treatment, risk level, risk mitigation plans, and DSHS’s initial recommendation including any proposed conditions of release.
- Provides Prosecutor and Defense attorney with the opportunity to submit input for consideration by the Panel.
- If deemed to be necessary, the Panel may obtain an independent risk assessment in addition to the risk assessment submitted by DSHS.
- Provides a summary of the referral and written recommendation to DSHS and the Court for their consideration.
- The final determination to grant or deny a conditional or unconditional release for NGRI is made by the court. The court also makes final determination to authorize continued commitment or release to a less restrictive setting
PSRP Membership
The PSRP consists of a seven-member volunteer panel appointed by the Governor with expertise from a variety of fields mandated by statute:
- Kari Reardon: PSRP Chair and Public Defender, Representative of Defender’s Association.
- Katherine Michaelsen, MD: Vice-Chair and Psychiatrist.
- Brooke Burbank: Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney.
- Donta Harper, EdD: Senior Administrator, Department of Corrections.
- Penelope Sapp: Law enforcement or a law enforcement association.
- VACANT: Consumer and Family Advocate.
- VACANT: Licensed Clinical Psychologist.
Members are appointed for a three-year renewable term and serve independently of DSHS. DSHS is responsible for providing the panel with administrative and financial support. If you are interested in serving on the Public Safety Review Panel as a volunteer board member, please apply here.
Contact Information:
For additional information or questions about the PSRP, please contact Ashley Beckley, Program Manager of the Public Safety Review Panel.
Phone: 360-742-1084 or email: ashley.beckley2@dshs.wa.gov
Mailing Address:
Public Safety Review Panel
Department of Social and Health Services
PO Box 45010
Olympia, WA 98504-5021