Correctional Service Canada (CSC) will announce on Thursday the results of its review regarding the controversial prison transfer of Paul Bernardo, a notorious murderer and rapist. The announcement will be made by CSC Commissioner Anne Kelly at a news conference in Ottawa. The news conference will also include France Gratton, assistant commissioner of correctional operations and programs, and Kirstan Gagnon, assistant commissioner of communications and engagement. The news conference will be live-streamed on Globalnews.ca.
Paul Bernardo’s transfer to a medium-security prison in May sparked controversy and drew criticism towards the Liberal government. Bernardo is currently serving a life sentence for the kidnappings, tortures, and murders of teenagers Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy in the early 1990s, as well as the killing of his then-wife Karla Homolka’s younger sister, Tammy Homolka. He had previously been held in maximum-security prisons but was moved to a medium-security prison in Quebec.
CSC initiated a review of the decision in June, acknowledging that while they have restrictions on discussing an offender’s case, they have the authority to move inmates to higher-security prisons if it is deemed necessary for public safety.
Newly released emails obtained through an access to information request revealed that senior officials within CSC and Public Safety Canada were aware of the impending transfer and wanted to keep it low-profile and confidential. The emails also showed that CSC had promised to inform the families of Bernardo’s victims before the transfer took place, but the families’ lawyer stated that they were only notified afterward.
There has been criticism and scrutiny surrounding Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as both claimed they were unaware of the transfer until the day it occurred or the day after, despite their offices having knowledge of the possibility for months.
The conservative party has called for Mendicino’s resignation or for Trudeau to dismiss him, citing mismanagement of important public safety matters. Mendicino’s office and CSC have maintained that the minister’s office received notification about the transfer on May 25, before it took place on May 29.
Despite the intention expressed in the emails to inform the families ahead of time, the families’ lawyer stated that they only became aware of the transfer after it had already happened.
It is expected that the news conference will provide more information and clarity regarding the review and the circumstances surrounding Bernardo’s transfer.