A Nova Scotia woman serving a life sentence for strangling her own daughter to death has been granted a 60-day unescorted temporary absence from prison, but was denied day parole.
will be living at a halfway house in an undisclosed location for the duration of the two-month release.
“Your criminal history is limited, however that has very little mitigating impact in terms of the overall history because of the nature, the severity and the circumstances of your crime,” Francois Levert, a member of the parole board, said Wednesday.
“The impact of your crime cannot be overstated as this impact remains very much alive.”
Boudreau murdered her 12-year-old daughter Karissa Boudreau on Jan. 27, 2008, later claiming it was to save her relationship with her then boyfriend, Vernon Macumber. The Crown later said he had no role in the crime.
“Holding a position of trust, you strangled the young victim and disposed of the body in the snow (beside the LaHave River) with hopes it would not be discovered,” according to a written decision earlier this year from the parole board regarding Boudreau.
“Moreover, you concocted a story that she might have been abducted and made public pleas for her return. An exhaustive police investigation involving undercover agents led to your arrest. It was your position that your decisions were taken to save your intimate relationship with your partner.”
The “paramount consideration” guiding Wednesday’s decision is the protection of society, Levert said.
Boudreau, now 51, has completed numerous escorted temporary absences from prison since they were first approved for her in 2018.
“There’s quite a bit of difference between a six-hour or seven-hour outing and a 60-day period,” Levert said.
“The board believes that, at the current time, it is difficult to foresee … within two months … you’ll be able to transition immediately” to day parole, he said.
The parole board can’t “assume things will go well,” Levert said.
While the board authorized the 60-day unescorted temporary absence for Boudreau, it wants to see how she does with that before giving her six months of day parole. On day parole, Boudreau would sleep at a halfway house, but she would be able to spend time in the community for work, education or treatment.
During her 60-day release, Boudreau is to have no contact with several members of her victim’s family that were identified only by initials at Wednesday’s hearing. She must immediately report all relationships with men and disclose whether they have parental responsibility for children under 16. Boudreau must also follow a mental health treatment program.
While the board denied Boudreau day parole following the 60-day prison leave, it will order a review of her case in six months.
“This will allow time for your case management team … to give an assessment of how things are going and link it to risk,” Levert said.
Boudreau teared up several times during Wednesday’s hearing.
“It makes no difference and it doesn’t undo anything, but I want to acknowledge that I am aware that people are hurting because of what I have done,” Boudreau told the parole board.
“I realize that I can sit here, or I can be out, and I can’t undo it. I just want them to know that I don’t take this lightly at all. The amount of hurt I’ve caused I can’t undo but I just want (them) to know that I recognize it, and I just appreciate you guys at least listening to me.”
Karissa’s body was found in the snow along a riverbank in Bridgewater, N.S., about two weeks after she was last seen in her mother’s car on Jan. 27, 2008.
The year after Karissa was killed, Boudreau pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. A judge sentenced her to life in prison with no chance of parole for 20 years.
That would have meant a release date of June 13, 2028. However, under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, she is now eligible to apply for unescorted passes, including day parole, three years prior to completing that sentence.
Boudreau is serving her time at the Nova Institution for Women in Truro.
The parole board heard Wednesday from Paul Boudreau, Karissa’s father.
“My whole world changed the day Karissa was taken away from me,” he told the board.
“Now, she’s only memories, pictures and a name etched on a stone.”
He told the board he’s questioned himself many times over his daughter’s murder. “Am I a failure as a father? Should I have seen this coming?” said the grieving dad.
Karissa’s murder had “long effects on her family, friends (and) schoolmates that knew and loved her,” he said.
“Hearing the horrific tale has changed them in many ways forever. Life will never be the same for any of us.”
Since she was sentenced in January 2009, Boudreau “has been fully engaged in recommended correctional programming and interventions,” her parole officer told the hearing.
In 2018, Boudreau “began the process of gradual reintegration,” which included escorted temporary absences to attend local church services, said her parole officer, noting Boudreau had worked as the chaplain’s assistant at Nova Institution for several years.
Her most recent risk assessment “suggests that Ms. Boudreau’s global risk for future recidivism of any kind, violent or general, is estimated to be in the very low range,” her parole officer told the board.
Correctional Service Canada recommended Boudreau was ready for the move to a halfway house for the 60-day unescorted temporary absence, as well six months of day parole.
“The fact that Ms. Boudreau’s risk to reoffend is currently considered very low combined with her consistent positive institutional behaviour (and) motivation to be involved in interventions suggest that the risk is manageable,” said her parole officer.
This past March, the parole board handed Boudreau 18 more escorted temporary absences “to participate in church services and/or church related activities, including but not limited to special community events, bible study, meetings with the pastor and/or congregation, for up to six hours each including travel time.”
It also granted her four escorted absences of up to seven hours each to see family, though the same decision noted Boudreau was no longer in contact with one of her parents.
Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
