According to government data, the number of prisoners classified as “dangerous offenders” in medium-security prisons is five times greater than those in maximum-security facilities. The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) reported that out of 736 dangerous offenders, 580 are in medium security institutions, 99 are in maximum security, and 57 are in minimum security. These findings were submitted in response to an inquiry filed by Conservative MP Frank Caputo on June 19. Caputo requested information on the number of dangerous offenders in each level of prison and the number of medium-security prisoners with multiple murder convictions.
The CSC provided additional details on dangerous offenders in medium-security prisons. They stated that 239 of these offenders have at least two counts of murder on their sentence. The offenses covered include first-degree murder, second-degree murder, capital murder, capital murder of a person less than 18 years old, non-capital murder, and break-and-enter offenses where one of the listed murder offenses was committed during the break-in.
The request for information comes after the controversial decision to transfer Paul Bernardo, a notorious offender who raped and murdered three women, to a medium-security facility. Bernardo was sentenced to life in prison without parole in 1995 and was declared a dangerous offender. After spending 18 years in the maximum-security Kingston Penitentiary, he was moved to the Millhaven Institution before being transferred to a medium-security prison.
This transfer allows Bernardo more time outside of his jail cell, a decision that has sparked criticism. Correctional Service Commissioner Anne Kelly defended the decision, stating that the review committee found it to be sound and following all applicable laws and policies. The government maintains that prisoners like Bernardo can be returned to maximum-security prisons if needed.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre strongly criticized the decision and promised stricter policies on crime if elected as prime minister. He stated that mass murderers like Bernardo should be kept in maximum-security penitentiaries to prevent further harm. Poilievre’s comments reflect the outrage felt by many who see the transfer as an injustice to the victims and their families.
It is worth noting that the decision to transfer Bernardo was communicated to the office of then-public safety minister Marco Mendicino in March, three months before the actual transfer took place. However, Mendicino claims that he was not personally notified of the decision by his office. Since then, Mendicino has lost his post during the government’s cabinet shuffle.