Chronic sex offender played video games, refused to complete prison programs

Pritchard failed time and again to complete his assignments, and was more interested in playing video games in his cell. Not only that, inmates in the program confessed to Corrections Officers (COs) that Pritchard was talking about personal and sensitive details with other inmates, putting those in the program in danger of repercussions.

His cell mate also revealed that prior to moving out, a personal journal had gone missing. When Pritchard was asked about it, he denied any knowledge of its whereabouts. The journal was later found in one of Pritchard’s drawers.

According to a report, just before Christmas 2010, Pritchard was suspended by the program coordinator and told to go directly back to his cell, however he stopped at the canteen first to collect his Christmas items, deliberately refusing and disobeying direction.

“It was reflective of his attitude at the time,” said Kennedy.

Pritchard was then placed in Administrative Segregation and an application was made for an involuntary transfer to the Saskatchewan Penitentiary.

During his time as Pritchard’s parole officer, Kennedy applied to another sex offender program he thought might benefit the 35-year-old, however Pritchard was denied entry into the program because of his demeanor, not because of any cognitive deficits. He remained in segregation until his transfer to Saskatchewan in early 2011.

Kennedy told the court that in his opinion, Pritchard was a risk to the public prior to his entry at Bowden Institution, and after his final review because he didn’t find any positive changes during his time at the facility.

During cross examination, Defense Lawyer Andre Ouellette, suggested to Kennedy that perhaps Pritchard’s refusal to complete the sex offender programming was an attempt to lengthen his stay and avoid being out on parole. Kennedy did not disagree.

“Yes, we see that quite often,” he said.

Ouellette also asked whether there was any way to measure someone’s sincerity about their efforts to attend and complete programming. Kennedy admitted there was not.

“Corrections Canada has a large stick over inmates who don’t complete programs?” he asked.

“Yes,” Kennedy admitted.

The parole officer also told the court that sex offenders- especially pedophiles, were considered among the prison population as one of the ‘lowest of the low,’ just ahead of informants, however Corrections Officers were not to treat them any differently, and in many cases did not know the records of most convicted criminals.

The hearing continues until Friday, Feb. 7. It will then resume March 23 and continue until April 3. A decision whether to declare Pritchard a Dangerous Offender, which could keep him behind bars indefinitely, is expected some time after that.

Pritchard was convicted in 2004, 2009, 2010, and twice in 2019, for offences involving underage girls.

by Lara Fominoff

Chronic sex offender played video games, refused to complete prison programs

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