The family of a murdered Ontario girl says one of her killers is living at an Indigenous healing lodge in Saskatchewan instead of the maximum-security prison where she had been serving a life sentence.
Terri-Lynne McClintic, who was convicted of first-degree murder in the kidnapping, rape and murder of Victoria (Tori) Stafford, 8, in 2009, is now being housed at the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge near Maple Creek. She had been serving her life sentence at the maximum security Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener.
Correctional Services Canada would not confirm the transfer, citing privacy legislation, but Rodney Stafford, Tori’s father, told CTV London he found out about the transfer after a corrections officer contacted him regarding McClintic’s request for day passes.
“The woman had made mention that Terri-Lynne had been moved to Saskatchewan to this healing lodge and I was kind of blown away,” he said. “I wish I had known when she was originally moved.”
“Every time things seem to start to get a little bit better…something like this comes along, where you just lose faith.”
Okimaw Ohci allows for communal living, according to CSC’s website, and “provides a safe and empowering environment."
"A personal life plan is created for each Aboriginal offender outlining what she needs emotionally, physically, and spiritually to help with her rehabilitation. Programs help offenders build the strength they need to make essential changes in their lives. Programs address vocational training, family and children, Aboriginal language, and nature. The women learn how to live independently by cooking, doing laundry, cleaning, and doing outdoor maintenance chores."
Tori Stafford’s family and friends are outraged McClintic has been moved and they have planned rally on Parliament Hill for Nov. 2 to protest.
“There’s got to be something that we can do to make a difference,” said Cara Adeline Voisin, a family friend who’s organizing the rally.
Organizers want to see legislation that would see those convicted to life without parole after murdering children or other vulnerable people serve out life sentences without privileges such as lowered security clearances or day passes. Such legislation was tabled by the Stephen Harper government but not passed.
During an interview with CTV’s Power Play on Tuesday, Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale said officials consider public safety and the best rehabilitation methods before deciding to transfer an inmate to a lower-security facility.
“The prison management officials have determined this is the best way to both rectify her bad practices in the past, but also to keep the public safe,” he said. “The officials that have the professional capacity to make that decision are making it in what they judge to be the best public interest.”
Ontario's Correctional Services Minister Michael Tibollo told the legislature on Tuesday that he was “shocked and disappointed” after finding out about the transfer and added he would speak with federal officials in hopes of bringing McClintic back to a maximum-security facility.
"Decisions like this made by our federal government can seriously impact the public's confidence in our correctional systems," he said. "My ministry will continue to monitor this matter as it unfolds to see what we can do in this unfortunate situation ... and try to correct what has been done."
The brazen kidnapping and subsequent killing of Tori Stafford made headlines across the country after she was lured away from her Woodstock, Ont. school by McClintic, who promised the little girl she would get to see a dog.
Police and volunteers scoured the countryside for months looking for the little girl. It was the largest ever missing persons search in Canada at the time.
Her body was eventually found buried in a farm field about 100 kilometres away from where she was taken. She was beaten to death with a hammer.
McClintic pleaded guilty in 2010 to first-degree murder, although the full extent of her violence only became public during the murder trial of her co-killer Michael Rafferty in 2011. The jury at that trial heard about her violent fantasies and desire to kill, maim and torture others.
In 2012, McClintic pleaded guilty to violently assaulting another inmate at Grand Valley.
She is not eligible for parole until 2031.
With a report from CTV London’s Gerry Dewan
