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Alberta Health Services (AHS) is reducing and eventually phasing out psychiatric assessments for certain convicted criminals in a bid to save money.

In a written statement, AHS said it plans to get out of the business of providing what are known as FACS assessments — mental health evaluations prepared by a psychologist or psychiatrist before an offender is sentenced.

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AHS says the move will save the health-care system $1.5 million a year. But the head of a local defence attorney’s association said it will end up costing more in the long term.

AHS spokeswoman Sabrina Atwal said that the reports, which have surged in popularity, were provided “as a courtesy” to the courts. AHS is currently the only health jurisdiction in Canada to provide courts with such assessments.

In the future, Atwal said, “probation/community corrections will focus on pre-sentence reports.”

Jordan Stuffco, president of the Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association, said the move has defence attorneys worried.