Newly released documents show Correctional Service Canada stopped Paul Bernardo from making a statement to the media as controversy swirled around his transfer to a medium-security prison.
The Canadian Press obtained emails through an access-to-information request that shows staff in the prison service expressed concern that Bernardo may be making a statement through his lawyer back in June.
Bernardo is serving a life sentence for the kidnapping, sexual assault and murders of 15-year-old Kristen French and 14-year-old Leslie Mahaffy in the early 1990s.
In an email to the Privy Council Office, a correctional service staffer wrote ``we are told that Bernardo had talked to his lawyer about speaking up publicly to media on his behalf.''
The staffer went on to say officials ``have since intervened and spoke to him about victim considerations,'' saying Bernardo would advise his lawyer.
A spokesman for the correctional service says it does not tell offenders not to speak to the media, but when considering interview requests it follows a process that includes ensuring it would not jeopardize an offender's correctional plan, or glorify their crimes.
Canadian Prison Law Association President Tom Engel says it is not the role of the correctional service to ``muzzle'' inmates.