Families of Paul Bernardo's Victims Demand Maximum Security Prison Transfers

The families of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, victims of the "sexually sadistic psychopath" Paul Bernardo, are calling for his transfer to a maximum-security prison, citing concerns about his safety and security. Bernardo, serving a life sentence for the kidnappings, sexual assaults, and murders of the two teenagers in the early 1990s, was transferred to a medium-security prison last May. The families' lawyer, Tim Danson, asserts that Bernardo should be punished to the fullest extent, receiving the maximum punishment in a maximum-security penitentiary.

Key Takeaways:

• Paul Bernardo, convicted of multiple murders and sexual assaults, was transferred to a medium-security prison last May despite being designated as a dangerous offender.
• The families of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, Bernardo's victims, are demanding that he be transferred to a maximum-security prison, citing concerns about his safety and security.
• Bernardo has shown no remorse, empathy for his victims, or insight to his crimes, according to two separate parole boards' findings.
• The Correctional Service of Canada commissioner, Anne Kelly, has stated that Bernardo was transferred to a medium-security prison as he posed no threat to other inmates or guards.
• The federal government has been urged to revoke Bernardo's transfer and take a leadership role in correcting the decision.
• The committee heard testimony from childhood friends of French and Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime Benjamin Roebuck, who spoke about the psychological effect of Bernardo's transfer on victims' families.
• The families are seeking legislative changes to the parole process for dangerous offenders like Bernardo, including increasing the intervals between parole hearings and requiring impact statements from victims.

Statistics:

• Paul Bernardo was convicted of three murders and sentenced to life in prison for the kidnappings, sexual assaults, and murders of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy.
• Bernardo has been designated as a dangerous offender and has admitted to sexually assaulting 14 other women.
• The Correctional Service of Canada transferred Bernardo to a medium-security prison last May.
• Two parole boards have found that Bernardo has shown no remorse, empathy for his victims, or insight to his crimes.
• The federal government is being urged to revoke Bernardo's transfer and take a leadership role in correcting the decision.

Sources:

• The Toronto Star
• A statement by Tim Danson, lawyer for the families of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, to a House of Commons committee
• A statement by Anne Kelly, Correctional Service of Canada commissioner, to a House of Commons committee
• Testimony from childhood friends of Kristen French and Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime Benjamin Roebuck to a House of Commons committee
• The Canadian Press