Demanding the Commissioner of the Board of Corrections Canada to Refer a Case to the Chairperson of the Board Regarding the Statutory Release of a Violent Offender
 

“If the Commissioner believes on reasonable grounds that an offender is likely, before the expiration of the sentence according to law, to commit an offence causing death or serious harm to another person, a sexual offence involving a child or a serious drug offence, the Commissioner shall refer the case to the Chairperson of the Board together with all the information in the possession of the Service that, in the Commissioner’s opinion, is relevant to the case, as soon as practicable after forming that belief. The referral must be made more than six months before the offender’s statutory release date.”

This petition is written less than six months before the offenders release. This petition demands that Corrections Canada issue a formal review of the statutory release of an inmate scheduled to be at large in October 2023, under exceptional circumstances, which are outlined below.

The inmate’s name shall not be published here, in accordance with the request for anonymity of the victim of a violent act of intimate partner violence. This is regarding police file number 20191725082.

The inmate was charged with several counts of injustice including the following:

·         Stalking and Criminal Harassment

·         One Count of Obstruction of Justice, which was upgraded to 

·         Two Counts of Obstruction of Justice when there was interference with the criminal investigation

·         Assault with a Weapon 

·         Wearing a Disguise with Intent to Commit a Crime

·         Attempted Murder

The inmate was charged on December 21, 2020 with the charges being (one count of) Obstruction of Justice, and Aggravated Assault. During the hearing, it was noted that the Pre-Sentencing Report included a strong suggestion that this person was at a high likelihood to re-offend toward the victim or another domestic partner, and displayed patterns in line with psychopathy and narcissistic tendencies.

The sentence given by the Court of Queen’s Bench was 6 Years.

Since incarceration, the inmate has had “regular” (1) review(s) with Corrections Canada. The most recent review released (2021) showed that progress had been made regarding abuse of addictive substances in a controlled environment while incarcerated. This review also showed concern for the inmate’s ability to cope outside of a controlled environment when substances were available. The review also suggested that little to no progress has been made with regard to anger management issues, taking accountability for actions, or remorse for the indicted crimes committed. In a parole hearing in 2021, the inmate deflected all accountability for their actions toward the victim, for provoking their anger, and for their acts of violence. The parole board granted minimum security clearance shortly after this hearing, less than 40 minutes from the victim’s registered address.

Since incarceration, the inmate continues to control the ability for their child, and for people in their immediate support system to get the necessary support required. They continue to instill fear into everyone who has met them, who worry of retaliation if they speak out against this person. People in the circle of the incarcerated will only speak up in support, for fear of retaliation. Friends and family of the victim will not speak up in fear of their children’s, spouses’ or families’ safety. People in the recent habitual communities of the inmate will not speak up, in fear of being targeted if they are released to that location.

I am speaking up on behalf of all of those who do not have a voice, to rally strength, and to ask you to support the review of this case by the Parole Board of Canada, Corrections Canada, the Government of Alberta, and the Government of Canada. Commissioner, please share in our sentiments to have this case reviewed as an exception with the Chairperson of the Board. 

The acts undertaken by this individual are not limited to the crimes committed over the course of 48 hours as noted in the police file.

I would urge you to sign below to demand a review of the case in the hands of our governmental systems which serve to protect all of us. 

For all of those who are fearful of this Statutory Release, please reach out to me. Together we stand, divided we fall. I love you all, and I will offer solidarity with you in your search for a normal life. I too, lived in fear. 

I find beauty every day in the support I have found in our community. We are one, we are brave, and we are strong.