Parole Board grants Indigenous Winnipeg killer Shawn Lamb statutory release

The Parole Board of Canada (PBOC) has granted Shawn Lamb statutory release after serving part of his sentence for manslaughter. Lamb, 66, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the deaths of two First Nations women in Winnipeg in 2013. He was sentenced to 20 years with two years taken off for time served, and became eligible for parole after serving nine years. According to the parole board, “The law requires that federal offenders who have served two-thirds of a fixed-length sentence be released from prison under supervision at that point.” Lamb has status under the Indian Act and is from Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Ontario, something the board says it considered in its decision. “The Board has considered your ISH (Indigenous Social History) in its decision noting the presence of several Gladue factors,” the parole board said. “You have been subjected to individual and systemic racism, you were a victim of the Sixties Scoop which resulted in the loss of your family, community and culture. In addition, you experienced physical, sexual and psychological abuse by your adoptive family, who were supposed to protect and nurture you. “In the Board’s view, given your assessed levels of risk and serious nature of offences, a period of residency is required as you transition back into the community to ensure you can apply your learned skills and manage any potential reintegration stressors,” the board says in its Nov. 7 decision. According to the parole board documents, Lamb is being released to a Community Based Residential Facility (CBRF) or transition house at an undisclosed location with several conditions. “The Board imposes a residency condition because it is satisfied that, in the absence of a condition requiring you to reside in a CBRF or a psychiatric facility, you will present an undue risk to society by committing, before the expiration of your sentence…a criminal offence” the pre-release document says. The Board has also imposed special conditions “because they are considered reasonable and necessary in order to protect society and the victims, and to facilitate your successful reintegration into society. These special conditions will remain in effect for the duration of your statutory release.” In 2012 Lamb was charged with killing Carolyn Marie Sinclair, 25, and Lorna Blacksmith, 18. According to the documents, he bludgeoned one with an axe handle and strangled the other. The board may impose conditions on the offender being released, revoke the release so the person goes back to prison or order that the offender be detained until the end of their sentence. The parole board notes Lamb’s supervision history has been problematic, with numerous breaches and new charges while on release. ​The board also says he has successfully completed day and full parole on earlier sentences but faced revocations due to substance use and non-compliance with conditions. The pre-release document says “Lamb’s behavior in custody has improved, with no violent incidents since 2014 and participation in various rehabilitation programs, including those focused on violence prevention and substance abuse. He has engaged with Indigenous services and Elders, indicating a commitment to traditional healing and personal change.” The board says Lamb may also get leave privileges from the facility he’s released to. “The Board authorizes leave privileges as per the rules and regulations of the CBRF/CCC, not to exceed Parole Board of Canada policy. Leave will allow you to spend increased time in the community with your prosocial supports,” the document says. The board notes that before the expiry of Lamb’s statutory release, “the Board may, upon receipt of your application for relief from the condition and/or a recommendation from your Parole Officer, remove the residency condition if the Board determines that you no longer present an undue risk to society by committing an offence…” Lamb was also originally charged with killing Tanya Nepinak, 31, who was last seen walking to a pizza restaurant on Sept. 13, 2011, but those charges were stayed. Her aunt, Sue Caribou, lobbied the province to search a Winnipeg landfill for her remains. The board says that Lamb must “demonstrate your compliance with the rules and regulations of a CBRF/CCC and with your standard and imposed special conditions. Once you have demonstrated stability, the need for residency can be re-examined.” As part of his release conditions, Lamb is ordered to “Immediately report all sexual and nonsexual relationships and friendships and any changes to the status of the relationship/friendship to your parole supervisor,” the parole board said. “This includes any attempts to initiate the above.” Continue Reading