Paul Bernardo is shown in this courtroom sketch during Ontario court proceedings via video link in Napanee, Ont., on October 5, 2018. The Correctional Service of Canada is set to unveil the results of a review into the controversial transfer of notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security prison. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Greg Banning
OTTAWA – The commissioner of Correctional Service Canada says serial killer Paul Bernardo will remain in the Quebec medium-security prison he was transferred to earlier this year.
Anne Kelly says a review of the controversial decision to transfer him out of the maximum-security Millhaven Institution found the move was “sound” and followed all applicable laws and policies.
The 85-page review released today shows Bernardo’s security classification was reviewed 14 times between 1999 and 2022, and each time he met the criteria to be moved under medium security.
It says these results had previously been “overridden” because his high-profile status placed him at a greater safety risk, and most of his interactions with other offenders in maximum-security prison were extremely restricted and controlled.
The review says Bernardo applied to be moved to the medium-security Bath Institution in June 2022, but a security review that found he met the bar for transfer was “overridden” because of his failure to integrate with other inmates.
The review says Bernardo then worked with senior officials at Millhaven to develop an integration plan, was “fully integrated” within that prison by July 2022, then successfully applied to be moved to the La Macaza Institution.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 20, 2023.
