That said, why is Paul Bernardo still in solitary confinement?
For 18 years, Bernardo has been housed 23 hours a day in a Kingston cell that’s roughly 1.5 metres by 3 metres.
For the other hour, he can watch television or exercise.
Prisoners in solitary confinement cells can talk with prisoners in adjoining cells but they can’t see them.
I had always thought that solitary confinement was an extraordinary measure used where necessary to contain dangerous prisoners or to punish inmates who commit offences in prison. I have seen no suggestion that Bernardo qualifies for solitary on either basis.
Perhaps he's being kept in solitary for his own protection. Possibly there's no alternative that wouldn't place his life at risk from other prisoners. Then again I thought the penitentiary service had facilities specifically for "at risk" prisoners such as child molesters.
Life imprisonment is one thing. Life imprisonment in solitary confinement strikes me as cruel and unusual punishment even for a creep like Bernardo.
.. well said ..
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised..
its the way you are ..
Bernardo deserves nothing
yet you speak to us.. of who we are
or at least believe we are..
what we stand for..
or thought we did
Despite the shallow thuggery
of our elected government
you ask that we retain dignity, fairness
execute law and order.. and punishment
Indeed . that we act as exemplars
in fact setting example by our actions ..
and that other nations might ..
be similarly emboldened
We live in times of crude political animals
Pathetic examples.. not exemplars or leaders
no courage or independence.. or brilliance
just partisan pack animals .. crude, dull, shrill pedantic
Toews, Kenney, Clement et al .. the witless Harper hive
Thanks .. no .. .. .. respect..
for the courage to speak out on this matter..
questioning, concerned ..
Bernardo, fracking, China, wild salmon, pensions
our injured veterans, Palestine, climate change ..
We are ill served by our public servants
who seemingly believe they speak to our Canadian values
when in fact.. they cannot comprehend
those unique, concerned, priceless, and complex attributes
And never will ..
I expressed similar concerns over at Buckdog's column. While I have no sympathy for Paul Bernardo, how we treat prisoners is a reflection on us as a people. That we have kept him virtually isolated for so many years saddens me, even for a monster like him.
ReplyDeleteWhen we finally abandoned the practice of judicial murder we accepted that there had to be a suitable alternative, thus we have the minimum 25 year incarceration for premeditated murder. We should not be subjecting anyone in our prison system to prolonged psychological torture. It isn't justice, it is cruelty.
Is he in solitary confinment for his own safety?
ReplyDeleteI did mention the personal safety question but I think our pen service has units for "at risk" prisoners who cannot be released into the general population.
ReplyDeleteI actually agree with you, and I've been thinking about this lately with all the reports of him applying to transfer to a medium-security prison.
ReplyDeleteIt really bothers me that possibly the only reason he's still in solitary confinement and probably will be forever is because of politics. Other people who have committed crimes similar to (or dare I saw worse than) his have been transferred to medium security, but the public doesn't care because these people aren't as well-known as Bernardo. But because Bernardo is so popular to hate, due legal process apparently doesn't apply to him. Our high level politicians going on Twitter and attacking Bernardo's application to transfer from max to medium security is really inappropriate IMO. If he meets the standards to be transferred (which honestly he probably does because he's been very well-behaved in prison), then he should be transferred regardless of public outrage/politics.
I obviously think what he did was disgusting and I don't think he should ever be free. But to be locked in solitary for 20 years or more... in that respect I do feel bad for him and wouldn't wish that on him.
"even for a creep like bernardo"?
ReplyDeleteIf Paul Bernardo was sodomized every day for the rest of his miserable life, it wouldn't be enough.
I'm disgusted that you show any sympathy for this motherf*cker.
Well, anonymouse, your sentiments are probably shared by a segment of the population but so too are a number of dark, twisted emotions. You would all too happily see the state descend into barbarism - until one day you found yourself on the receiving end of it. Your kind has always been with us, always will be.
ReplyDeletei think 20 years is enough in seg i been study this case for years and iam certain that he no doubt cometed the raps but not the murders only time some one died is when karla was present starting with her sister the man never ever killed any of his victims he should be free not karla
ReplyDeletethis is facts its pretty bad the man is willing to take a polly graff to prove he dident kill them but on the other hand karla holmolka will not take one and if any one thinks that isent fucking crazy the girl is the one who killed the girls thats way she wont take the polly
ReplyDelete