Nehass to soon leave for Ontario
Michael Nehass will be transported to an Ontario mental health facility for a fitness assessment.
Michael Nehass will be transported to an Ontario mental health facility for a fitness assessment.
Justice Scott Brooker read his decision in Yukon Supreme Court this morning. His order is dated for Monday.
The Yukon government has agreed to implement Brooker’s order.
Nehass has been at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre since 2011.
He was charged with forcible confinement, assault with a weapon, breaching probation, and uttering threats.
In May 2015, a jury found him guilty of all but the latter charge. His sentencing has since been delayed.
While in jail, Nehass has spent extended periods in solitary confinement.
Multiple reports referenced in court this week agreed that the effects of segregation contributed to the deterioration of Nehass’s mental health.
The Crown seeks to have Nehass declared a dangerous offender, a designation that impacts sentencing.
Before this designation can be considered, however, Nehass must undergo a fitness assessment.
Eric Marcoux, for the Crown, asked the court on Tuesday for this assessment.
Anik Morrow, Nehass’s lawyer, requested that the assessment take place at the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.
On Wednesday afternoon, the court heard from Philip Klassen, vice-president of medical affairs at Ontario Shores.
Speaking via teleconference, Klassen confirmed the centre normally engages in fitness assessments. The facility has 30 beds for this purpose, and Klassen said one is available for Nehass.
Klassen did express some concern about security. He said Ontario Shores considers itself a medium-security facility, and he wanted to be certain it could meet the needs of Nehass.
Klassen referenced a previous client from the territories, who tore apart both Ontario Shores and the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care – a facility where Ontario Shores occasionally refers patients.
Klassen said the experience had traumatized staff, but that Ontario Shores was “delighted to be involved” if Klassen could be satisfied of the security needs of Nehass.
Morrow said Klassen was more prudent in court than he had been during conversations with herself and Marcoux. She clarified that the centre can handle challenging behaviour.
Despite the centre having been Nehass’s choice, he told the court today he wanted to instead be assessed in the territory.
He also cited his right to refuse treatment.
Marcoux acknowledged that right.
He said Brooker’s order is for a fitness assessment only. The question of treatment will be addressed once the assessment is complete.
Comments (12)
Up 14 Down 1
umm on Nov 30, 2016 at 1:05 pm
Didn't the jail bust the guard? The silverfox tragedy was w/RCMP cells. This guy isn't a criminal because he went to jail, he went to jail for being a criminal. A judge sent him there for being a violent threatening fingercutting criminal. Good try at changing the story.
I hope this guy's head gets sorted out so he contributes more to society than violence. Maybe that should have happened years ago.
Up 2 Down 20
Is this the same on Nov 30, 2016 at 11:52 am
Is this the same Whitehorse correctional facility that had a correctional officer dealing drugs?
or the one where they watched Silverfox die (that might have been at the detachment).
Wonder what solitary is like when you're given drugs and stuck watching the same system claim you're a criminal then partake in criminal activity?
Good luck
Up 19 Down 1
Wow... on Nov 29, 2016 at 8:40 am
As a former Corrections Officer at WCC, it floors me that they have approved a medium security facility for Mr. Nehass. It is also crazy that they blame his years of solitary confinement for his behaviour. Every time this man was placed with other inmates he caused havoc. It was his own behaviour that caused him to be placed in solitary. Had he behaved like other inmates he could have remained with them. It would definitely not have been fair to the other inmates to place him with them.
This man should have been sent to a facility that could have properly handled him long ago.... I truly believe it is way too late now. And there is no way on this earth a medium security mental health facility will be able to handle him, like someone mentioned above, the last inmate only destroyed the facility, I would be worried for the staff and other clients. I hope and pray I am wrong.
Up 15 Down 0
@more info. on Nov 27, 2016 at 8:26 am
@more info.
While I have no idea what the specific plans are for his transport...I can say that it is fairly routine for prisoners to be transported on commercial flights with regular civilians, while escorted by two either sheriffs, correction staff, or RCMP/police.
When appropriate they use private RCMP plane...but for such a long trip I'm not sure the local small RCMP plane would be terribly efficient/available.
With him...my guess would be the RCMP would do it as with his history...but...that is a guess.
Up 28 Down 4
Correctional guard from years ago on Nov 26, 2016 at 11:57 am
Wow. I'm shocked
I've worked in the system over 20 years.
I used to work at Whitehorse corrections.
Mr. Nehass assaulted staff and inmates for attention. For laughs. Then would ask for something.
Things like candy pop. Fast-food. Dumb things and laugh.
He attempted escapes.
Put pins under his skin to use to open cuffs.
Set cell on fire. His cell mate on fire.
Weapons.
Climb up on things in ceilings.
Fences.
Steal food trying to starve other inmates.
He is extremely dangerous.
ONTARIO. U hav no idea, none at all.
Maybe he will surprise us all. Go there and behave.
I'd hope so - But we will see
ONTARIO u need to be worried very very worried
I've been following his case for years since leaving the Yukon
Wow I commend the staff at the jail
It frustrates me that nobody has any clue what it's like to deal with Mr nehass
Good luck Ontario !!!
Up 15 Down 3
More facts please on Nov 25, 2016 at 3:32 pm
How are they going to get him to Ontario and back? I sure hope it's not on a commercial flight. I wonder if a pilot with a private company can refuse? Pity the Star seldom seems to come up with imaginative questions but instead is content to just regurgitate the info that is easily available.
Up 13 Down 3
moe on Nov 25, 2016 at 2:18 pm
"(Klassen) wanted to be certain it could meet the needs of Nehass"
Klassen should be more concerned about meeting the needs of the other customers at the Ontario Shores mental institute for criminals. The staff are 'traumatized' by the last visitor who tore their facility apart. At least that person limited himself to tearing apart inanimate objects.
Up 26 Down 5
Bob Graham on Nov 25, 2016 at 6:41 am
No way Medium Security Facility is appropriate for this guy!!! Legal system better re-think the options!
Up 27 Down 5
Mr M on Nov 24, 2016 at 5:18 pm
Nehass is a dangerous person. He is like a rabid dog and we all know what they do with rabid dogs.
Up 50 Down 7
Spencer Elofson on Nov 24, 2016 at 4:10 pm
Wow, medium security, he'll be out of there in short order. He is one dangerous SOB
Up 46 Down 9
Is this the best? on Nov 24, 2016 at 3:39 pm
Medium security?
How long until he escapes and is on the loose in Ontario?
Hey, at least it's not here.
Up 49 Down 7
Holy Crap!! on Nov 24, 2016 at 3:33 pm
Ontario Shores is sure in for a rude awakening. Nehass is a dangerous man who has a lot of tricks up his sleeves. He needs a little more than medium security.