Karri Williams (left) and Penny Steinkey (right) walked the streets of Maple Creek this week, voicing their concerns of McClintics transfer to a nearby healing lodge.--ALBERTA NEWSPAPER GROUP PHOTO KATE WINQUIST
GILLIAN SLADE & TAYLOR CHARTRAND
Alberta Newspaper Group
A recent decision to transfer convicted murderer Terri-Lynne McClintic to a healing lodge near Maple Creek provoked a small protest Wednesday in the southwest Saskatchewan town.
McClintic was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the 2009 murder of eight-year-old Tori Stafford in Woodstock, Ont.
“I’m a resident of Maple Creek and I’m really, really angry about the transfer of this child killer out to the healing lodge,” protester Karri Williams said. “We’re going to be out here every single day until she is gone.”
A healing lodge is for women who have been through horrific ordeals, giving them an opportunity to get back into the community, she said.
“As far as I’m concerned, a child killer should be behind bars,” said Williams.
Angry Maple Creek residents may be overreacting, says former mayor Barry Rudd.
“It’s not the first person that’s been in jail for murder that’s been out there (at the healing lodge),” he said.
The decision to transfer an inmate to the healing lodge is made by Correctional Service Canada, and only applies to those who are not considered a risk, Rudd explained.
“They have to work to get here,” he said. “They are not sent out to work as soon as they get here. They have to be here for quite some time before they get a work release.”
McClintic’s transfer from a maximum security prison comes eight years into her life sentence, and 17 before she’ll be eligible for parole.
The Indigenous healing lodge has single- and family-residential units, and sometimes includes children with the residents.
The federal Conservatives made a motion in the House of Commons Wednesday asking for a reversal of the Correctional Service decision. It was defeated.
“Canadians across this country are outraged …,” said Medicine Hat MP Glen Motz, saying the federal justice minister has the authority to reverse the decision.
He says healing lodges are designed to be used as a transition for those near the end of their sentence while McClintic has nearly two decades remaining.
“She is far from rehabilitated. She’s far from serving her debt to society,” said Motz, a former police officer.
“It is important to note the Correctional Services healing lodges for Aboriginal women offenders are minimum/medium-security facilities,” a spokesperson said in an emailed response to questions from the Medicine Hat News.
The email explained that an offender’s security level is based on three factors: How they will adjust to the institution, the risk of escape and public safety. Those going to a healing lodge “must choose to follow Aboriginal programming and spirituality,” it stated.
It is not clear whether McClintic is First Nations and Correctional Services declined to comment, citing privacy.
“There’s been lots of people out there that are not First Nations,” said Rudd. “If there is room in the facility and someone wants to come and better themselves, there’s lots of programs there.”
Healing lodges, by their very nature, are designed for the Indigenous community, says Motz, adding they are a way to reintegrate them back into First Nations communities.
Victoria (Tori) Stafford was raped, beaten and murdered on April 8, 2009 as she was walking home from school in Woodstock. She had been lured into the car of McClintic’s boyfriend Michael Rafferty by the idea of seeing a puppy. Her body was found three months later near Mount Forest. McClintic and Rafferty were charged with first-degree murder. McClintic pleaded guilty in 2010. Rafferty was convicted of first-degree murder by a jury at a trial in 2011.
Cypress Hills-Grasslands MP David Anderson says he recently heard from several Maple Creek residents concerned for their children because the healing lodge gives day passes to certain residents.
“She should be moved back to where she was, and I’m going to stay on this until that happens,” said Anderson, who doubts the government will step in to reverse the decision until forced by strong public outcry.
