Human error, equipment error both factors in December prisoner escape
Posted Jan 25, 2016 04:53:29 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – Justice Minister Diana Whalen says a combination of human error and equipment error resulted in Marc Joseph Pellerin’s escape from Nova Scotia Sherrif’s custody in early December.
In an internal review of the incident, Whalen says a number of standard protocol were not followed, including conducting a risk assessment.
“The big thing that’s pointed out in the report is that a risk assessment should have been done, and this was a late in the day transport and therefore they did not do that. That was a shortcoming in this case, and a mistake was made,” said Whalen.
Director of Sherrif Services Fred Hildebrand could not say specifically whether or not there will be dismissals, but says they will discipline according the Sherrif Service guidelines.
“The range of repremand could be anything from an individual attending training, a letter being on their file, and in the most extreme form which is dismissal. I can’t speak to whether any of the individuals involved will be dismissed,” said Hildebrand.
On December 4, Marc Joseph Pellerin escaped from the sheriff’s van in the parking lot of the Truro Justice Centre as he was being transferred from New Brunswick to Halifax for a court appearance.
The review found that Pellerin was able to free one of his hands from his handcuffs during transport due to a “unique ability to contort his hand,” and was then able to break a link on the chain connecting his leg restraints, which remained secured to his ankles.
He was recaptured Dec. 7 by RCMP in Stewiacke.
The review also found checks were not performed to make sure that radios carried by the deputies and the video system inside the van were working properly.
