Penny Boudreau, convicted in daughter's death, granted more escorted prison passes

A Bridgewater, N.S., woman who choked her daughter to death while the child begged for mercy is being granted more escorted passes from prison.

Penny Boudreau was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2008 death of her 12-year-old daughter Karissa. The conviction carries an automatic life sentence and the judge set her parole ineligibility at 20 years.

As she approaches the end of her sentence, the Parole Board of Canada has been granting her escorted temporary absences to help her adjust. The board notes this has been going on since 2018 without incident. The only disruption came during the COVID-19 pandemic when travel restrictions were imposed on everyone.

"You have referenced experiencing low self-esteem, a sense of inadequacy, fears of abandonment and being generally inadequate," the board wrote following a hearing on March 28.

"Those aspects of your personality and social deficits have likely contributed to your involvement in what you characterize as unhealthy intimate relationships."

Boudreau, who turns 51 this year, has used her previous absences to attend church functions and spend time with a female friend.

"You have no meaningful family supports other than those that have slowly developed through your involvement with a church and person who is an active member of the congregation," the report notes.

"All but abandoned by family and community, involvement with the chaplaincy service has been your primary social outlet."

The board granted Boudreau permission for up to 18 escorted absences to attend church-related activities, and four absences to visit her friend's home. The board does not say where Boudreau is being held in Canada, or where the escorted absences would take place. 

The board said it appears the Correctional Service of Canada is looking at June of this year as a time to possibly grant Boudreau more freedoms, including unescorted absences from prison.