Joint Fish report suggests changes

By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star - May 02, 2008

Eric Fish

There were no factors that would have led those responsible for the management of Eric Fish, while he was serving parole in Vernon, to believe he’d commit a serious offence.

That’s the finding of a joint board of investigation report, conducted by the National Parole Board (NPB) and Correctional Services of Canada (CSC), into the release and supervision of Fish who, while unlawfully at large from Vernon’s Howard House, was charged with first degree murder in connection with the death of Vernon senior William Abramenko in a home invasion on Aug. 4, 2004.

Fish pleaded guilty to second degree murder in connection with the Abramenko case in November 2007.

The joint board of investigation report was released to Vernon’s SUN-FM radio earlier this week following a Freedom of Information request.

The report states the board of investigation has not identified any precipitating factors in this case which would have led those involved in the management of Fish in the community to believe that the offence would have occurred.

“The analysis of information, the sharing of documentation and professional opinions among all parties, and the development of release plans and support systems in the community were thorough and professional,” reads the document.

“Community interventions and support systems were implemented as required, given the specific circumstances of the case.”

In spite of the finding, the board of investigation noted a number of concerns that need to be addressed, and, therefore, have put forward four recommendations.

The first recommendation deals with the nature of the restrictive day parole release that was granted to Fish. The National Parole Board, in collaboration with Correctional Services, granted Fish a day parole that was more restrictive than most that were granted. They were of the opinion that very specific restrictions were required during the first stage of his release to the community.

There was some degree of confusion among and between NPB members and parole officers about the specific conditions of Fish’s release, and the authority of CSC parole officials to modify the specific limitations of the release authorized by the NPB.

The recommendation from the board is that NPB and CSC officials ensure a common understanding of “limited” day parole is developed and clearly communicated to decision makers and parole supervisors.

Recommendation number two is that the CSC consider what further action it can take in conjunction with police officials to ensure the police can apprehend unlawfully-at-large offenders as soon as possible.

This stems from the fact Fish was unlawfully at large for almost seven weeks after he failed to return to Howard House.

The report says all indications are Fish remained in Vernon while at large, and that there were two reported sightings of him in Vernon, but he wasn’t caught until two days after Abramenko’s murder.

“Professionals dealing with this case have indicated that with the passage of time, without the presence of supervision and strict restrictions on his movement in the community, the likelihood that he would commit an act of violence would escalate,” said the report.

The board of investigation is also recommending further guidance be provided to help CSC and NPB officials manage violations of conditions by offenders on conditional release, and more training and research be made available to assist in assessing and managing the risk in these cases.

“It is sincerely hoped that the implementation of these recommendations will assist in some way in preventing other tragic incidents in the future,” states the report.

Vernon RCMP Insp. Steve McVarnock read through a copy of the report and is in total agreement with the recommendations.

“Since this horrific incident, tremendous strides have been made in terms of how parolees and others on conditions in this community are managed,” said McVarnock.

Vernon RCMP have an officer based in the community that acts as a liaison with CSC and all area RCMP detachments, meaning local police can act quickly on any parolee who goes unlawfully at large while being managed in the community.

Local police now meet monthly with representatives from the local parole, probation and youth probation offices, plus the Ministry of Children and Family Services, to discuss current people in the community on various conditions, and identify any high-risk situation that may be brewing.

The investigation began on Sept. 7, 2004 in Vernon.

Vernon Parole Office staff were interview and files reviewed. The board also attended Howard House to view the facility and interview staff.

Also taking part in the investigation were one RCMP officer from Vernon, a psychiatrist, two psychologists, an institutional parole officer and program facilitator.

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Joint Fish report suggests changes

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