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Shane Robert Ertmoed granted 60-day unescorted absence
The Parole Board of Canada has granted Shane Robert Ertmoed a 60-day unescorted temporary absence (UTA) from prison. Ertmoed is currently serving a life sentence for the first-degree murder of 10-year-old Heather Thomas in Surrey in October 2000.
Ertmoed applied for the absence to participate in a cooking program at a community residential facility for rehabilitative purposes. While the Parole Board concluded he would not pose an undue risk of reoffending, the case management team disagreed, stating his risk could not be managed safely during the UTA. The team also noted that his cooking skills do not align with his long-term goal of becoming a plumber.
The board imposed several strict conditions to protect society and the victim's family, including prohibitions on contacting the victim's relatives, restrictions on visiting specific municipalities across British Columbia and other provinces, and bans on accessing pornography or the internet without approval. He is also prohibited from being in the presence of females under 18 without a responsible adult present.
Entities
Cloverdale · Heather Thomas · Parole Board of Canada · Shane Robert Ertmoed · Surrey