Serial rapist denied parole

Board considers Saskatchewan man a high risk to reoffend

A serial rapist from Saskatchewan serving an indeterminate sentence in British Columbia has been denied parole for the second time since 2014.

The parole board ruled this month that Clifford Barry Howdle would not be suitable for either day or full parole. Now 47 years old, Howdle was declared a dangerous offender in 2003 after raping three women and holding them hostage during a 36-hour rampage between Prince Albert and North Battleford in 1999.

He was out on day parole from the Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert at the time, having served four years of a seven-year sentence for prior sexual assaults.

“The board remains concerned by your criminal record and specifically that you had done well in the institutions and in your programs prior to your last release, yet quickly destabilized to the degree of going on a prolonged and sustained brutally violent crime spree,” the decision outlines.

It also noted that Howdle still poses a high risk to reoffend sexually, and disbelieved his claim that he no longer has sexual fantasies.

Howdle’s release plan for day parole was to attend an apprenticeship program and live in a halfway house in the Lower Mainland area of B.C.

The board decided a more gradual reintegration would be necessary, starting with a work release program to “demonstrate further trust” and a transfer to a minimum security facility.

Howdle was denied parole in September 2014 for similar reasons.

Dangerous offenders are eligible for parole after serving seven years, and are entitled to a review every two years after that.