A review of the controversial decision to transfer serial killer and rapist Paul Bernardo to a medium-security prison has found the Correctional Service of Canada’s decision was “sound,” but noted that the agency could have given victims’ families advance warning of his transfer.

“The Review Committee concluded that the decisions to reclassify this inmate to medium security and transfer him to La Macaza Institution were sound and followed all applicable laws and policies,” said Anne Kelly, Canada’s correctional service commissioner, when introducing the report at a press conference in Ottawa on July 20.

Mr. Bernardo is serving a life sentence with no chance of parole after kidnapping, torturing, and murdering Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy in the 1990s. He was also found guilty of sexual assault and manslaughter of his 15-year-old sister-in-law Tammy Homolka.

Mr. Bernardo, who has been serving his sentence for the last 25 years, was quietly transferred on May 29 from a high-security prison to a medium-security facility. The transfer means that he can spend less time in his cell and associate with other inmates.

Following the news, the Correctional Service of Canada tasked a review committee with determining if Mr. Bernardo’s transfer was appropriate and if all policies and rules were followed.

Ms. Kelly noted that while Bernardo is now a medium-security inmate, he is still assessed as being a high risk to public safety.

“He also continues to hold a dangerous offender designation, which was imposed by the court. No inmate who is a high risk to the public can go to a minimum security institution,” she said, adding that an inmate can be returned to a higher security prison “at any point.”

The review committee made two recommendations: That Correctional Service Canada was to share the findings of this review and recommendations with the registered victims prior to any release of information to the media or to the public, and that it strengthen victim notifications and engagement by striking a committee dedicated to this work. Ms. Kelly said she accepted both recommendations.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was looking forward to seeing the conclusions of the committee.

“I think the entire country is still reeling from the anguish of these terrible, terrible acts. That’s the lens with which we have to go through all these processes,” he told reporters in Kingston, Ont.

“We have a justice system that operates independently, but we need to continue to make sure that it’s doing so in a way that is putting victims and families first, that is reassuring people that it is rigorous in the way it goes forward.”

More to come.