Constructing Risk through Jurisdictional Talk: The Ontario Review Board Process under Part XX.1 of the Criminal Code

Abstract The Ontario Review Board (ORB) makes and reviews dispositions that limit the freedoms of individuals found not criminally responsible (NCR) due to a “mental disorder.” Their must be responsive risk NCR pose public. To assess how is measured, authors studied twenty-six publicly accessible court files pertaining appeal ORB dispositions. hospital reports, ORB’s dispositions, transcripts hearings in files. In this paper, draw on institutional ethnography critical legal theories jurisdiction analyze certain citational practices—namely citation closely related statutes procedures—participate structuring analysis risk. argue becomes legible participants process through intertextual mediation these citations, which legitimize naturalize individuals’ dependence forensic institutions.