Most of Canada’s dangerous offenders not in maximum security

OTTAWA –

Federal statistics show that most of the 700 offenders deemed most dangerous in Canada are held in medium- and minimum-security prisons.

The data was tabled in Parliament in response to a written question from Frank Caputo, a Conservative member of Parliament from British Columbia.

His question came after news broke that notorious serial killer and rapist Paul Bernardo had been moved to a medium-security prison in Quebec from his maximum-security quarters at Ontario’s Millhaven Institution.

The Correctional Service of Canada reviewed its decision following widespread public outcry and concluded that officials followed the correct policy in transferring Bernardo, who is serving an indeterminate life sentence and has been declared a dangerous offender.

Prison system commissioner Anne Kelly said Bernardo does not pose a risk to public safety and conditions at medium security are similar to — and no more luxurious than — those at maximum security.

However, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on the Liberal government to step in and ensure that Bernardo and other dangerous offenders are forced to serve their full sentences in maximum security.

Here’s the OPQ that came up with the Conservatives’ questions about how dangerous criminals are in Canada.

“This government will do everything necessary…to ensure that these dangerous criminals serve their prison sentences in appropriate security institutions,”: LeBlanc. pic.twitter.com/QFR0WJtqwg

— Rachel Aiello (@rachaiello) September 21, 2023

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Sept. 21, 2023.