‘Unique risks’ considered before triple killer’s parole

Good behaviour helped convicted triple murderer Jason Shawn Cofell earn his release from prison, but it was only one of many factors the Parole Board of Canada considered in granting him full parole.

“Positive institutional behaviour is an expectation, not an achievement,” said Holly Knowles, regional manager of community relations and training for the parole board.

She added that good behaviour is viewed in a more neutral manner when the parole board considers granting an offender’s parole.

“What matters to the board is, has the offender addressed the reasons they were incarcerated?” Knowles said.

“Do they have mental-health issues? Do they have substance-abuse issues? Do they have employment and education needs?”

Cofell, who received a life sentence in November 1992 after being convicted for first-degree murders of Jasen Pangburn, 18, and his grandparents Virginia, 73, and Alfred Critchley, 77, respectively, was granted full parole after a Tuesday hearing in Peterborough.

News that Cofell had been released from prison, but still must abide by a number of conditions, was not well received on social media. Many comments on the article slammed the Canadian justice system.

“Canada needs to change the laws. Make them do real life and that’s it,” said one commenter.

“How is getting parole a life sentence?” added another.

Knowles said public safety is always the top priority considered by the parole board when deciding whether an offender will receive parole.

She said the decision to grant parole to someone who commits a serious offence is made on a caseby-case basis.

“Every offender presents their own unique qualities and their own unique risks,” she said.

“The reason that one offender would commit such a crime, it can be very different than another offender committing a similar offence.”

After serving 24 years in various prisons, Cofell had spent nearly four years on day parole, abiding by various conditions, and was then recommended for full parole by correctional officials based on his behaviour and progress, including his psychological issues.

Statistically, Knowles said, offenders serving life sentences have a very low risk to reoffend because they are incarcerated for a long time before being eligible for any kind of release.

“Until they’re eligible for parole, many of them don’t even see the community until 20, 25 or 30 years later,” she said.

There is also a process offenders go through while in prison, she said, noting they will “cascade through the system,” starting at a maximum-security facility.

Offenders are expected to work to earn a transfer to a mediumsecurity facility and then to minimum security.

“It’s very gradual and it’s very structured,” Knowles said.