SUDBURY - The only surviving perpetrator in the 1993 murder of a Sudbury police officer has had his day parole extended.
The Parole Board of Canada announced on Oct. 11 that day parole has been extended for Peter Pennett, 60.
His accomplice in the Oct. 7, 1993, killing of Const. Joe MacDonald, Clinton Suzack, died of natural causes on Feb. 18. Suzack had been living in a halfway house at the time of his death.
Together, Pennett and Suzack ambushed, pistol-whipped and fatally shot MacDonald following a routine traffic stop. They were convicted of first-degree murder in 1995 and sentenced to life imprisonment with no chance of parole for 25 years.
Sudbury.com noted the anniversary of MacDonald’s murder last week.
Pennett was granted day parole in October 2023, which was extended for six months in April 2024, giving him temporary unescorted daytime absences from the community-based residential facility (halfway house) where he is living. He is not permitted overnight leave.
The parole board highlighted the progress it said Pennett has made on changing the behaviours and attitudes that led him to a life of crime.
“In making the decision to continue day parole, the Board notes the progress you have made on the two periods of day parole,” the report states. “To your credit, you have adjusted well to the community after a long incarceration and there is no indication that you have breached conditions of release. Your primary focus has been acclimatizing to the community and completing programming.
“As such, you have been taken a gradual approach to employment and your reintegration; this is to be commended. While you had plans to begin work in drywalling, this has been delayed due to a recent injury. You are described as respectful, adherent to CBRF rules/expectations, self-aware, friendly, and mature.”
In rendering its decision to extend his day parole for another six months, the board found that while Pennett is making progress, he is still not ready for full parole with overnight privileges.
“CSC recommends the Board continue day parole. Your case management team (CMT) assess full parole as premature at this time and believe as a multi-need individual you require the high level of structure and supervision the CBRF can offer on a day parole release to assist with sustaining your stability in the community,” the decision states. “Your next steps are to work towards securing housing so you can commence overnight leave privileges.
“CSC recommends the Board impose the following special conditions on day parole: not to consume alcohol, not to consume drugs, no contact with victim(s) including a geographic restriction, and no contact with certain person. Leave privileges are supported.”
According to information provided by the board, Pennettt’s criminal history dates back to 1981, and involves property and drug crimes exclusively. He didn’t have a criminal history of violence prior to the killing of MacDonald.
In terms of Pennett’s risk to reoffend, the board found him at moderate risk for violent recidivism and a low-moderate risk of general recidivism, and recommends he receive “sufficient support” to handle scrutiny and additional support to help him manage the stress of reintegration.
In addition, the board noted Pennett has completed several programs to help him manage his behaviour.
“The program facilitator reports you presented with a positive attitude, openly communicated, and worked well with the program officer and fellow group members,” the board stated in its decision. “At the conclusion of the program, your overall commitment and ability to use the skills required to manage your various risk factors was rated as moderate. You were not referred for further programming at this time, however, should your situation change, or behaviour deteriorate, maintenance programming is recommended.”
The parole board also found Pennett is staying clean of illegal drugs and there are no concerns that he would return to substance abuse.
“In the community, you have provided multiple urinalysis which have returned positive for prescribed medication only,” the board said. “There have been no concerns of a return to substance abuse, and you continue to address relapse prevention through interventions such as the CBRF's Relapse Prevention Program. You are described as a great addition to the program.”
It was also noted that Pennett has not violated his leave conditions, spending his free time at the halfway house or the gym, and is “cooperative with CBRF staff, and although it took time to adjust to the community after a lengthy incarceration, you have been open and forthcoming with you CMT regarding anxieties and concerns.”
Pennett has opened a bank account, found a doctor, completed his income taxes and connected with an Elder and the Indigenous community liaison officer (ICLO). He works part-time at the halfway house on maintenance and custodial duties.
The board noted as well that Pennett has a low need for improvement in his attitude or emotional state, nor in the domains of substance abuse, criminal associates or community functioning, with medium-level accountability and high motivation to improve.
“You have mental health resources available to you should you struggle with reintegration stressors and mood, however, your demonstrated ability to be transparent with your emotions, challenges, and stressors is a strength, not only for your reintegration, but also with respect to your ability to be supervised in the community,” the board said.
Given these factors, “a further period of day parole will provide you with the high level of structure, monitoring, and resources necessary to manage these risks while supporting your safe reintegration.”
There are conditions imposed on the continuation of Pennett’s day parole. These include staying off drugs and alcohol and having no contact with people connected to the drug or criminal subcultures.
During his release, Pennettt is also forbidden direct or indirect contact with any victims in his case. He is also not allowed to enter the Greater Sudbury area or the Algoma District. He must also follow a treatment plan for substance abuse, emotional management and “reintegration stressors.”
During day parole, an offender is released and allowed to participate in community-based activities in preparation for full parole or statutory release. When on day parole, offenders must return nightly to a community-based residential facility or halfway house unless otherwise authorized by the Parole Board of Canada.
Mark Gentili is the editor of Sudbury.com.