Justice and Grief: A Killer's Unescorted Leave

Imagine the unbearable pain of losing a child, especially in such a brutal, senseless way. Now, imagine having to relive that agony, decades later, when the man responsible for that monstrous act is granted a step towards freedom. That's precisely the heartbreak Daniel Levesque's family is enduring right now. Dale Albert Bolland, who violently raped and murdered their 14-year-old son, Daniel, back in 1986, has been approved for unescorted temporary absences (UTAs) from prison by the Parole Board of Canada. It’s a decision that, understandably, has left the family utterly devastated and profoundly outraged.

For nearly four decades, the Levesque family has carried the burden of their unimaginable loss, a grief that never truly fades. Bolland was sentenced to life in prison, with parole eligibility set after 25 years. This new development, granting him UTAs, signifies a significant milestone in his path toward potential reintegration into society – a path that, for Daniel’s loved ones, feels like a cruel twisting of the knife.

The Parole Board’s reasoning, laid out in its decision, points to Bolland’s progress during his lengthy incarceration. They cite his demonstrated commitment to rehabilitation, his participation in various programs, and a seemingly stable support network awaiting him outside the prison walls. Essentially, after careful assessment, the board concluded that Bolland’s risk to the community had been reduced to a manageable level. This wasn't a decision made lightly; previous requests for similar leaves were denied due to ongoing concerns about his behaviour and a lack of full insight into his own risk factors. But now, it appears, the board believes he has genuinely turned a corner, embracing his rehabilitation plan with a commitment they deem sincere.

Yet, for the Levesque family, these bureaucratic assurances ring hollow, swallowed by the echoes of their past trauma. They expressed immense shock and anger, describing the board’s decision as nothing short of a slap in the face. It’s hard to blame them. To hear that the man who robbed them of their child, and Daniel of his future, will now walk freely, even for limited periods, is a tough pill to swallow. They’ve vocalized their disgust, feeling that justice, in this instance, has once again failed them.

The unescorted temporary absences are designed for various purposes, including personal development, community service, and fostering family contact – all crucial steps in preparing an inmate for potential parole or statutory release. Ultimately, these UTAs are intended to be a stepping stone towards placement in a halfway house, allowing a gradual transition back into everyday life. But for Daniel's family, it represents an unbearable indignity, a stark reminder of the freedom their son was denied, and a painful questioning of a system that, while focused on rehabilitation, can inadvertently inflict further pain on victims.

This case, like so many others involving serious violent crimes, highlights the complex and often contentious balance within our justice system: the push for offender rehabilitation versus the paramount need for public safety and, perhaps most crucially, the enduring suffering of victims and their families. While the Parole Board operates under specific mandates and criteria, the human cost of such decisions is always profoundly felt, particularly by those who bear the scars of unspeakable tragedy.