Robert Latimer - Parole

Parole

On December 5, 2007 Robert Latimer requested day parole from the National Parole Board in Victoria, BC. He told the parole board that he believed killing his daughter was the right thing to do. The board denied his request, saying that Latimer had not developed sufficient insight into his actions, despite psychological and parole reports that said he was a low risk to reoffend unless he was put into the same situation again. In January 2008, lawyer Jason Gratl filed the appeal on Latimer's behalf, arguing that in denying parole the board had violated its own rules by requiring admission of wrongdoing and by ignoring the low risk for reoffending. In February 2008, a review board overturned the earlier parole board decision, and granted Latimer day parole stating that there was low risk that Latimer would re-offend. Latimer was released from William Head Prison and began his day parole in Ottawa in March. On his release he stated that he planned to press for a new trial and for identification of the pain medication that the 2001 Supreme Court ruling suggested he could have used instead of killing his daughter.

He subsequently moved to Victoria, where he was required to live in a half-way house five days a week and an apartment two days a week. In July 2010 the National Parole Board denied his request to be allowed to leave the halfway house for five days a week. On appeal to the Federal Court of Canada in August 2010 the board was ordered by Madam Justice Mactavish to review its decision. The National Parole Board was also directed by the Judge to apply the least restrictive conditions consistent with society's protection. Latimer is consistently assessed as having a low risk of re-offending. Latimer is eligible for full day parole in December 2010.

On November 29, 2010, Robert Latimer was granted full parole. The loosening of Latimer's parole restrictions took effect on December 6, 2010.