Canadian prison investigators, the federal victims’ ombudsman and friends of Paul Bernardo’s victim have called on the federal government to protect victims of crime following the controversial transfer of the serial killer and rapist to prison. They are calling for further efforts to ensure the same rights as criminals.
Three childhood friends of Kristen French, who was killed by Bernardo, told the House Standing Committee on Public Safety on Wednesday night that the correctional system was putting Bernardo’s rights ahead of their own.
The victim and her family were first informed on the morning of the incident that Bernardo had been transferred from a maximum- to medium-security prison in May.
French friend Tenille Chwarchuk said Bernardo’s transfer had been filled with “absolute fear and pain and tears and anger”.
“We thought that if he stayed in the best condition possible, we could have some kind of peace in our hearts knowing that he would be where he is forever,” she said. Told. “And at that moment I knew it was over…It was just absolute agony.”
Bernardo is serving a life sentence for kidnapping, torturing and murdering French Mahaffey and Leslie Mahaffey in the early 1990s. He was also found guilty of manslaughter and sexual assault of his 15-year-old stepsister Tammy Homolka.
Bernardo’s ex-wife Carla Homolka was sentenced to 12 years in prison for her role in Bernardo’s crimes. Bernardo, who is listed as a dangerous offender, also admitted to sexually assaulting 14 other women.
French’s friends say Correctional Service Canada’s deportation process has forced them to relive the trauma of her loss.
demand for change
Laura Murray, one of France’s childhood friends, told the committee: “One thing was clearly missing: careful consideration of the impact of this transfer on those directly affected by Bernardo’s crimes.” It’s something I seriously considered.” We are investigating the move.
“We are here to demand that the rights of his many victims now and in the future be considered and respected.”
A review committee appointed by the Correctional Service of Canada concluded that applicable law had been complied with, but that more could have been done to provide advance notice to victims.
featured videosMPs have slammed Correctional Service Canada Commissioner Anne Kelly over the transfer of serial rapist and murderer Paul Bernardo from a maximum security prison to a medium security prison. Kelly defended the move, but he said the system is working on ways to improve services for victims.
Correctional Service of Canada Commissioner Anne Kelly told the committee on Monday that the agency seeks a balance between the rights of offenders and victims. She disagrees that Bernardo’s rights come first.
However, two federal ombudsmen argue that the rights of criminals are being upheld more than the rights of victims.
Federal Correctional Investigator Ivan Zinger told the committee that his office’s annual budget is $7.5 million, while Crime Victims Ombudsperson Benjamin Roebuck’s office has a budget of $1.5 million. He pointed out that the dollar was weak.
“There is an imbalance between defending the rights of prisoners and defendants and the rights of victims,” Zinger told CBC News.
Mr. Zinger told the committee that he hopes all federalists will support Mr. Roebuck’s office to expand its budget, increase investigative powers and increase its independence.
Mr. Roebuck, who appeared before the same committee Wednesday night, supported Mr. Zinger’s proposal and said the two men’s offices should be equal.
“We need the same resources as the support bill,” he told lawmakers. “Currently, for every dollar the government spends prosecuting criminals in its respective offices, it spends 16 cents prosecuting victims.”
featured videosLawyers representing the families of Paul Bernardo’s victims say they were not given enough notice about the serial killer’s transfer from a maximum-security prison to a medium-security facility. They joined advocates who say there are gaps in the law that need to be changed to allow victims to be consulted in future deportation cases.
Unlike Zinger, Roebuck said the government cannot be forced to provide evidence and must “in many cases” rely on good faith. That leads to less transparency, he said.
“As we conduct our investigations, we are being denied information from federal agencies and we would like to see that change,” Roebuck told CBC News.
Mr. Zinger told the committee that many of the rights of victims are not actually rights at all because there is no recourse if they are violated.
Roebuck agreed, saying Canada’s Victims Bill of Rights “actually contains disclaimers about how those rights don’t apply.”
“and [it] “It specifically denies crime victims the right to challenge in court if their rights have not been respected, or to appeal on the basis that their rights have not been respected,” he said.
Mr Roebuck said the government’s bill was “frustrating victims of crime” as it placed too many restrictions on what information victims could reveal about criminals. Ta.
Roebuck told the committee: “Even when requested, the agency overly restricts information and fails to provide protection and participation in a way that is acceptable to crime victims.”
featured videosCanada’s prisons are currently considering a decision to transfer notorious serial killer and rapist Paul Bernardo from a maximum-security prison to a medium-security facility. The transfer sparked outrage across Canadian political circles. Bernardo is serving a life sentence for the murders of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffey in the early 1990s.
Lawyer Tim Danson said the families of Bernardo’s victims are asking the Supreme Court of Canada to grant them access to Bernardo’s records so they can prepare a “meaningful” victim impact statement. He says he is trying to persuade her.
For years, the family has been denied copies of documents used during Bernardo’s parole hearing, citing privacy laws.
Roebuck said the government should take a “trauma and violence-informed approach” to help victims share their safety concerns without having to repeat traumatic details in victim impact statements. Eight recommendations were submitted to the committee, including that the system be adopted.
He also called on Correctional Services Canada to speak with victims before transferring them to prisons so they can share their safety concerns. Roebuck said criminals should not be transferred to prisons near where their victims live without prior notice.
The Correctional Service of Canada has set up a committee that includes crime victims. The commission began meetings this month to explore ways to improve services for victims.
Marco Mendicino, who was public security minister at the time of Bernardo’s transfer, also issued a ministerial order requiring victims to be notified before a decision is made.
