The British Columbia Review Board has granted a conditional discharge to Allan Schoenborn, who was found not criminally responsible for the 2008 deaths of his three children .. This ruling allows him to move into a supervised community environment while continuing psychiatric treatment.

The Restrictions Governing Allan Schoenborn's Conditional Discharge

Under the terms of the ruling that took effect this Tuesday, Allan Schoenborn is permitted to reside in a supervised community setting. However, the British Columbia Review Board has imposed strict mandates to mitigate risk, including a total ban on the possession of firearms or weapons. According to the report, Schoenborn is also prohibited from using alcohol, cannabis, or any other prohibited substances, and he must undergo regular testing to ensure compliance.

The board has further stipulated that Schoenborn must avoid any direct or indirect contact with three specific individuals, whose identities were withheld in the decision and listed only by their initials . If the British Columbia Review Board determines that he poses an increased risk to the public, he can be immediately recalled to the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam.

Why Professor Isabel Grant Distinguishes Conditional from Absolute Discharge

The legal mechanism of a "conditional discharge" is distinct from an "absolute discharge ," a nuance explained by Professor Isabel Grant of the University of British Columbia. As the report says, a conditional discharge indicates that the board believes the individual still presents a "measurable risk" to the public. In contrast, an absolute discharge is only granted when a person is deemed to no longer be a threat.

This distinction means that while Allan Schoenborn is leaving a locked facility, he remains under the legal thumb of the psychiatric system. Professor Isabel Grant noted that the adult psychiatric director maintains discretion over where Schoenborn is placed, and the board will continue to conduct regular reviews of his status before any absolute discharge can be considered.

Dave Teixeira and John Rustad's Warnings on Public Safety

The decision has met with fierce opposition from victims' advocates and political figures. Dave Teixeira, representing the parents of the children killed in Merritt, B.C., described the ruling as "baffling." Teixeira argued that Schoenborn is "more evil than he is ill" and expressed concern that the man's apparent reluctance to engage in substance-abuse counseling makes his presence in the Vancouver area a significant public-safety risk.

Political criticism has also intensified, with former B.C. Conservative Party leader John Rustad claiming that the policies of the NDP government enable dangerous offenders to regain freedom too easily. rustad asserted that individuals who commit such heinous crimes should remain locked away, framing the conditional discharge as a dangerous step toward total liberty.

The 2021 Alias 'Ken John Johnson' and BC Name-Change Laws

This case has reignited a debate over the ability of serious offenders to hide their identities. In 2021, Allan Schoenborn adopted the alias Ken John Johnson, a move that the report notes prompted the province of British Columbia to tighten its rules regarding name changes for convicted serious offenders.

This pattern of attempting to obscure his identity adds a layer of complexity to the board's assessment of his rehabilitation. The tension between the legal rights of those found not criminally responsible and the public's right to know the location and identity of high-risk individuals remains a central conflict in the management of the B.C. forensic psychiatric system.

Who are the Three Individuals Barred from Contacting Schoenborn?

Despite the transparency of the discharge conditions, several critical details remain obscured. The British Columbia Review Board has not disclosed the identities of the three people Schoenborn is forbidden from contacting, leaving the public and victims' families in the dark about who is being protected. Furthermore, the report does not specify the exact location of the "supervised community setting" in the Vancouver area, as the psychiatric director is not obligated to make those details public.

There is also an unresolved tension regarding Schoenborn's clinical progress; while the board sees enough improvement to grant a discharge, Dave Teixeira's claims about a lack of engagement in substance-abuse counseling suggest a gap between the board's assessment and the family's perception of his recovery.