Convicted serial killer Dellen Millard has been relocated from a high-security prison to a medium-security facility in Ontario, as reported by CBC News. This decision mirrors the earlier transfer of his accomplice, Mark Smich, to a medium-security prison in 2021.
The families of the victims, Tim Bosma and Laura Babcock, are shocked and seeking explanations for the transfer, considering the seriousness of Millard and Smich’s crimes and the remaining duration of their sentences. In a joint statement to CBC News, Bosma’s widow, Sharlene, and his parents expressed disgust at Millard’s recent move to a medium-security prison, following Smich’s transfer years ago.
The families question the justice system’s decision to reward a three-time convicted first-degree murderer with a lower security placement based on “good behavior.” They criticize the prioritization of white-collar criminals over violent offenders, calling the move an affront to common sense.
Linda Babcock, Laura’s mother, expressed dismay in an interview with CBC News, stating that the transfers have reopened old wounds and shattered their peace. She emphasized the importance of violent criminals serving their full sentences in high-security facilities.
Millard, a Toronto resident, was convicted of first-degree murder in Bosma’s case in 2016 and Babcock’s death in 2017, alongside Smich from Oakville, Ontario. Additionally, Millard was found guilty of first-degree murder in his father’s death in 2018 and of assault causing bodily harm in a prison stabbing incident in 2023.
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) declined to confirm the transfers, citing privacy restrictions. The CSC emphasized its commitment to public safety, mentioning that decisions on inmate reclassification are based on various factors, including professional assessments and psychological evaluations.
Despite the CSC’s reassurances, the victims’ families feel unheard and disregarded. They criticize the lack of consideration for their feedback and express disappointment in the justice system’s handling of the offenders’ security placements.
The CSC states that both Millard and Smich are eligible to apply for day parole in 2036 and full parole in 2039, emphasizing that these dates do not guarantee release. However, for the families of the victims, the improved conditions for the perpetrators offer little solace compared to the enduring impact of their crimes.