5 Shocking Updates On Paul Bernardo: The Controversial Transfer And 2024 Parole Denial

The notorious case of Paul Bernardo, one of Canada's most infamous and reviled serial killers, continues to dominate headlines, fueled by recent, highly controversial decisions and legal proceedings. As of December 10, 2025, the public discourse is centered on two major, inter-connected events: his controversial transfer to a medium-security prison and his most recent attempt to secure parole, which was ultimately denied.

The persistent updates regarding Bernardo’s status—from his living conditions to his repeated attempts at freedom—highlight the deep and lasting trauma inflicted on the victims' families and the Canadian public. This article provides a comprehensive, current-day look at the man behind the "Schoolgirl Killer" moniker, the details of his crimes, and the critical, fresh developments from the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) in late 2024.

Paul Bernardo: A Full Biography and Criminal Profile

Paul Kenneth Bernardo, also known by the alias Paul Jason Teale, was born on August 27, 1964. He is a Canadian serial rapist and killer whose crimes, committed primarily in the late 1980s and early 1990s, shocked the nation. His early criminal career began long before his most publicized murders, establishing a pattern of escalating violence.

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• Full Name: Paul Kenneth Bernardo (Alias: Paul Jason Teale)
• Born: August 27, 1964 (Age 61 as of late 2025)
• Early Crimes: He was initially known as "The Scarborough Rapist" for a series of brutal sexual assaults committed between 1987 and 1990 in the Scarborough area of Toronto, Ontario. Bernardo confessed to at least 10 additional rapes from this period following his conviction.
• Key Association: Karla Leanne Homolka, his former wife, who became known as the "Witch of Ontario." Together, they were infamously dubbed the "Ken and Barbie Killers" by the media.
• Victims:
  • Tammy Homolka: Karla Homolka’s 15-year-old sister, whom they sexually assaulted and killed in 1990.
  • Leslie Mahaffy: A 14-year-old girl from Burlington, Ontario, abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered in June 1991.
  • Kristen French: A 15-year-old girl from St. Catharines, Ontario, abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered in April 1992.
• Conviction: In 1995, Bernardo was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and aggravated sexual assault. He was declared a dangerous offender and sentenced to an indeterminate life sentence with no eligibility for parole for 25 years.

The controversy surrounding the case was compounded by Karla Homolka’s "pact with the devil," a plea deal that saw her serve only 12 years in exchange for testifying against Bernardo, a deal made before police discovered videotapes documenting the assaults and murders.

The Controversial Medium-Security Transfer to La Macaza Institution

One of the most significant and publicly contentious developments in Paul Bernardo’s incarceration history occurred in May 2023 when the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) quietly transferred him from the maximum-security Millhaven Institution in Ontario to La Macaza Institution, a medium-security prison in Quebec. This decision immediately ignited a firestorm of public backlash, political condemnation, and legal challenges.

Why the Transfer Caused a National Outcry

The transfer of a high-profile, convicted serial killer and rapist to a lower-security facility was seen by many, including victims’ families and politicians, as a profound failure of judgment by the CSC. The outrage stemmed from several key factors:

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• Perceived Reward: Moving Bernardo from a maximum-security prison—a facility designed for the highest-risk offenders—to a medium-security facility was interpreted as a reward or a step toward freedom for a man serving an indeterminate life sentence for unspeakable crimes.
• Victim Trauma: The lack of transparency and consultation with the families of Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French before the transfer was completed severely compounded their trauma. They felt blindsided and disrespected by the correctional system.
• CSC Rationale: The CSC defended the decision, stating that the move was based on a thorough, multi-factor security reclassification process that considered his behavior, institutional adjustment, and risk assessment. They argued that the new facility was better equipped to manage his long-term needs, though this explanation failed to quell public anger.

Despite the intense pressure and political calls for the transfer to be reversed, the Correctional Service of Canada Commissioner confirmed that Paul Bernardo would remain at La Macaza Institution. This decision solidified the controversy as an ongoing debate about the balance between punitive justice, offender rehabilitation, and public safety in Canada's correctional system.

The 2024 Parole Hearing: Denied for a Third Time

In November 2024, Paul Bernardo appeared before the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) for his third parole hearing, having previously been denied in 2018 and 2021. This hearing was highly anticipated, given the preceding medium-security transfer controversy, which had intensified public scrutiny of the entire process.

Key Outcomes of the November 2024 Decision

The PBC’s decision was unequivocal: Bernardo was denied all forms of conditional release, including temporary absences, day parole, and full parole. The board’s rationale was rooted in a single, critical assessment: the risk he represents to society is still too high.

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The hearing was marked by powerful and emotional impact statements delivered by the families of Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French. Their presence and testimony served as a stark reminder of the devastating human cost of Bernardo’s actions and provided a necessary counterweight to his claims of rehabilitation.

The PBC cited several specific factors in its decision to deny release, emphasizing a lack of genuine insight and continued risk:

• High Risk: The board determined that Paul Bernardo continues to pose an undue risk to society.
• Lack of Insight: Bernardo's attempts to minimize his responsibility and his ongoing struggle to articulate a comprehensive understanding of the harm he inflicted were noted as major concerns. The board found his professed remorse to be superficial and lacking in depth.
• Nature of Crimes: The extreme brutality, repetitive nature, and sexual violence inherent in his crimes—from the "Scarborough Rapist" attacks to the murders of the schoolgirls—were given significant weight, suggesting a deeply entrenched pattern of offending.
• Failure to Complete Treatment: His progress in correctional programs was deemed insufficient, and he was found to have failed to fully address the underlying causes of his criminal behavior, specifically his sexual deviance and violence.

The Lasting Impact and Future Parole Eligibility

The 2024 denial ensures that Paul Bernardo will remain incarcerated at La Macaza Institution for the foreseeable future, though the controversy over his current security level is unlikely to subside. The case remains a flashpoint for debate over Canada’s justice system, particularly concerning dangerous offenders and the rights of victims.

Bernardo is serving an indeterminate life sentence, meaning he is not guaranteed release at any point. While he was eligible to apply for parole after serving 25 years, the PBC can continue to deny his applications based on their assessment of his risk to the public. His next parole eligibility hearing is not yet set, but typically, offenders denied parole must wait another two years before reapplying, placing his next potential hearing around late 2026 or 2027.

The case of Paul Bernardo, the "Schoolgirl Killer," continues to be a tragic and compelling study of extreme criminality, the limitations of rehabilitation, and the enduring fight for justice by the families of Leslie Mahaffy, Kristen French, and all his victims.