N.S. child killer Penny Boudreau gets OK to visit ex-prison chaplain who ‘served as a mentor and spiritual guide’

The Bridgewater woman who strangled her own daughter to death recently got permission to visit her former prison padre.

Penny Patricia Boudreau, 49, murdered her 12-year-old daughter Karissa on Jan. 27, 2008, later claiming it was to save her relationship with her boyfriend.

“The person being visited is in failing health and offered chaplaincy services at your facility for many years. He has served as a mentor and spiritual guide,” said the recent parole decision granting Boudreau a seven-hour temporary escorted absence.

“Experiencing grief and processing it appropriately is important for anyone. Given the index offence, the process takes on even greater meaning.”

‘All but abandoned’

Boudreau has “no meaningful family supports other than those that have slowly developed through (her) involvement with a church and a person who is an active member of the congregation,” said the parole board.

“All but abandoned by family and community, involvement with the chaplaincy service has been your primary social outlet.”

In July of 2010 Boudreau plead guilty to second-degree murder. A judge sentenced her to life in prison, setting her parole eligibility at 20 years.

‘You will have to start over’ 

Her most recent parole decision notes Boudreau has had multiple temporary leaves from prison over the years.

“Your return to a community somewhere is probable. The timing remains to be seen,” said the parole board.

“It is recognized that at some point you will have start over, so to speak.”

Boudreau’s dead daughter was found in the snow beside the LaHave River.

“She was strangled and abandoned in the winter months,” said the parole board.

“Moreover, you concocted a story that she might have been abducted and made public pleas for her return. An exhaustive police investigation involving undercover agents led to your arrest.”

‘Deep sense of loss’

The parole board reviewed numerous victim impact statements and letters it received about Boudreau.

“Collectively, they speak to a deep sense of loss and grief, be it family members, friends and or the community at large. That grief and opposition to your release continues to this day. It is unlikely to end, and it is important that you remain mindful that your behaviours significantly effected so many people.”

Boudreau was raised by one parent and “experienced the loss of a close family member at a young age,” said the parole board.

“You did attempt suicide prior to your arrest for the current offence. One of your parents has discontinued contact with you due to the negative media attention. Additionally, you have a history of unhealthy relationships.”

‘Fears of abandonment’

An agreed statement of facts, read into the court record at her sentencing, confirmed that Boudreau’s boyfriend, Vernon Macumber, had told Boudreau that it was either him or her daughter if their relationship was to survive.

A psychological risk assessment from last year “positions your risk of general and violent recidivism as being in the very low to low range,” said the parole board.

“This assessment is essentially consistent with previous findings. The assessments spoke of your dysfunctional relationship at the time of the murder, self-reported fears of abandonment and poor coping skills. Those fears are real in the context of dysfunctional relationships. However, you had options and elected not to pursue them.”

Boudreau has completed multiple courses behind bars.

“You have also participated in an extended grief and loss program offered through chaplaincy services,” said the parole board.

“It is estimated that your insight into your crime cycle has increased. More specifically, conflict resolution ability has improved as has the need to manage emotions. Emotional regulation and distress tolerance were two areas identified in the most recent psychological assessment as warranting ongoing attention.”

‘Low risk’

She poses “a low risk of escape and public safety,” said the parole board.

“The mere fact that you committed such a murder gives reason for pause. However, in the board’s opinion, for that type of scenario to play out again, there would have to be a constellation of multiple risk factors occurring, in the context of a poor relationship with child access. That is considered unlikely.”

During her past leaves from prison, “there has never been a behavioural issue,” said the parole board.

“That said, public resistance and scrutiny, understandable as it is, has delayed some. The escorted absence being proposed is singular and builds on the many that have been completed to date.”

The plan is to transport Boudreau in a Correctional Service Canada vehicle. She’ll be escorted by “non-security CSC staff or volunteer with close supervision,” said the parole board.

Police oppose leave

The decision doesn’t name the location for Boudreau’s visit.

“Local police have voiced opposition given the nature of the index offence and the media attention any release typically generates,” said the parole board.

“However, the location is not a source of concern.”

Boudreau has demonstrated “excellent” behaviour, said the parole board.

“That is not to say that you don’t have certain deficits, but in the absence proposed, they do not heighten risk to the community. More precisely, risk is not undue.”