The Parole Board of Canada denied day parole to George Pitt. Pitt is serving a life sentence for the 1993 first degree murder of six year old Samantha Toole in Saint John. According to a recent report by CBC, the board concluded his proposed release plan fails to adequately manage the risk he poses to the public.

The 1993 Murder Case

If you follow local history, you likely remember this tragic case. It dates back to October 1993. Searchers found Samantha Toole dead in the St. John River. She was the daughter of Pitt’s girlfriend at the time, Gloria Toole. During his 1994 trial, the court heard police found Pitt doing laundry at 4 a.m. on the day the girl went missing. Investigators found the girl’s blood on the bedding he was washing.

In 2005, new DNA testing failed to link Pitt to the biological evidence. The testing also failed to identify another suspect. Pitt maintains his innocence today, but his conviction stands.

Programming Refusal Blocks Release

Pitt refuses to participate in sex offender programming. The parole board cited this refusal as a central issue in its decision. Pitt told the panel he refuses the programming because he is innocent. He also stated the material triggers memories of his own past sexual abuse.

His parole officer noted Correctional Service Canada recommended the programming because the original offense included a sexual component.

Adelina Iftene is an associate professor of law at Dalhousie University. She says maintaining innocence creates a difficult situation for inmates seeking release.

“Once the appeals have been exhausted in a criminal trial, the whole system functions on the assumption that the individual is guilty,” Iftene said. She added the parole board does not determine whether a conviction was wrongful.

Emma Halpern is a New Brunswick parole lawyer. She says offenders can demonstrate accountability without explicitly admitting guilt. She suggests Pitt can acknowledge problematic behavior to move through the required programming.

“If I was advising him, I would say you have got to find a way to go through this program,” Halpern said.

The board stated Pitt’s refusal remains a major barrier. While he completed anger and substance abuse programs, the board decided his past disciplinary issues outweigh his recent improvements.

Inadequate Release Plan

A recent psychological assessment estimated Pitt’s risk of violence as high. It rated his risk of sexual reoffending and general recidivism as moderate.

Community residential facilities offered to accommodate him. The board acknowledged this support but found the proposed plan lacked detail regarding supervision and treatment.

The board concluded the release plan cannot mitigate his risk to reoffend. Halpern noted a halfway house placement is only a starting point. She emphasized the need for a solid community plan including employment, medical care, and psychological support.

The board also stated Pitt requires a slow and supported reintegration. He has spent most of his adult life in prison and lacks experience living in the community. For now, Pitt remains incarcerated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is George Pitt?

George Pitt is a New Brunswick man serving a life sentence for the 1993 first degree murder of six year old Samantha Toole in Saint John.

Why did the parole board deny his day parole?

The Parole Board of Canada determined his release plan lacked necessary details for supervision and treatment. The board also cited his refusal to complete mandatory sex offender programming as a major barrier to his release.

Does maintaining innocence prevent an inmate from getting parole?

Maintaining innocence complicates the parole process. You will find the justice system assumes guilt once appeals are exhausted. However, legal experts say inmates can sometimes navigate mandatory programming by acknowledging problematic behaviors without making a direct admission of guilt.