Board FAQs

Psychiatric Security Review Board members serve four year terms, and are eligible to renew for up to one additional four year term.

Members of the Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) are selected through a structured process overseen by the Governor of Oregon. Qualified candidates apply via the Governor's Boards and Commissions website. The Board's Executive Director then conducts a thorough vetting process to assess candidates' qualifications and suitability in coordination with the Board's Chairperson. Following this, the Board submits a list of recommended candidates to Governor for potential appointment. Appointments are finalized upon a Senate Confirmation Hearing.

According to Oregon Revised Statute 161.385, the Board's membership includes:

(a) A psychiatrist experienced in the criminal justice system and not otherwise employed on a full-time basis by the Oregon Health Authority or a community mental health program;
(b) A licensed psychologist experienced in the criminal justice system and not otherwise employed on a full-time basis by the authority or a community mental health program;
(c) A member with substantial experience in the processes of parole and probation;
(d) A lawyer with substantial experience in criminal trial practice;
(e) A psychiatrist certified, or eligible to be certified, by the Oregon Medical Board in child psychiatry who is experienced in the juvenile justice system and not employed on a full-time basis by the authority or a community mental health program;
(f) A licensed psychologist who is experienced in child psychology and the juvenile justice system and not employed on a full-time basis by the authority or a community mental health program;
(g) A member with substantial experience in the processes of juvenile parole and probation;
(h) A lawyer with substantial experience in juvenile law practice;

Some restrictions apply to Board membership. For example, the Board's mental health professionals may not be employed full time by the Oregon Health Authority or a community mental health program, and the attorney members may not be active district attorneys, deputy district attorneys, or public defenders.

No. There is no minimum time a person must stay at the hospital nor do all GEI defendants have to go to the hospital.

The period that individual PSRB clients stay at OSH is based on a clinical assessment of the individual's mental status and progress in treatment at the hospital and a risk assessment as to their dangerousness as well as the availability of the appropriate resources in the community. If the Board determines that a person can be safely managed and treated in a community setting, the PSRB attempts to find an appropriate placement.

State law prohibits the Board from putting anyone on Conditional Release who is determined to be presently dangerous to others. Additionally, individuals the Board places on conditional release go through a comprehensive screening process including four levels of review.

Conditional release is not a new policy. Most states in the US have some type of conditional release program. The PSRB has supervised clients in the community on conditional release since its inception in 1978. Over the past 15 years, over 1500 conditional releases have been granted to individuals who have transitioned into community placements throughout the state of Oregon. Some of these clients remain under supervision for decades or even life.

By law, the district attorney from the committing county is notified, as well as the victim(s), if they requested such notification. Board staff also notifies the Attorney General's office, the client's attorney, and the client's proposed case manager. Once a person leaves the state hospital on a conditional release, the PSRB also notifies law enforcement. With some exceptions, Fair Housing and Disability Laws prevent the Board from sharing information about patients with neighbors or members of the public.

Please visit our Administrative Meetings page for the dates of upcoming Board meetings.

The Board holds hearings three to four times per month on Wednesdays. Board hearigns are held remotely via Microsoft Teams. For more information, please visit our client hearings page.

The Governor appoints the Psychiatric Security Review Board's members, and they serve at her pleasure

Board FAQs

How long do members of the board serve?

How does someone get appointed to the Board?

What qualifies one to serve on the Board?

Are people who have been found GEI ever sentenced to the Oregon State Hospital?

How is the length of time at the Oregon State Hospital Established?

Is it safe to move people who have committed violent crimes into the community?

Who is notified when someone is being considered for conditional release?

When is the next Board meeting?

When and where does the Board hold hearings?

To whom does the Board report?