The son of convicted murderer Donald Wayne Campbell says his father has completed one of the three unescorted temporary absences he's been granted.
Campbell was found guilty of first degree murder in the January 1998 death of his wife, 45-year-old Fenny Campbell, and sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for full parole after 25 years.
Joel Campbell, who was 18-years-old at the time of his mother's killing, said his fathers request for the conditional release was approved earlier this year.
"After a paper review -- which is an in-office review, there was no actual hearing this time -- the decision was made to grant him what are called unescorted temporary absences," said Campbell. "So, under the terms of that decision, he was granted three absences unescorted for up to 72 hours each within the calendar year of the decision."
Campbell said his father has used one of those absences already -- connecting with an approved facility.
"Sometimes they use a community house, or halfway house, and during that he has certain conditions he has to abide by," said Campbell. "He also has some requirements in terms of where he's not permitted to go, including London-Middlesex, Sarnia-Lambton and Chatham-Kent."
Campbell said they weren't necessarily surprised by the decision.
"He had many factors in his favour that we had seen in previous parole hearings. So, if anything was going to be granted, it's not surprising it's this stage," he said.
But, Campbell said the paper review was unexpected and didn't allow the Parole Board to ask his father questions, or his victims a chance to speak to the request.
"These are the statements from victims of this crime, and victims that have been deeply affected in many ways. We're talking more than a quarter century now of affects and it's not just the first few years, there's effects that go on to this day. You're hearing the real words of those people and how his actions affected them then, over the years, and right up to now," Campbell said.
He said paper alone is unacceptable and doesn't do the process justice.
"There's a difference between hearing from someone in person -- hearing their voice and hearing them express it -- then just reading it on paper. Also, without that interactive element where he is asked questions and the Parole Board asks him questions and actually hears and sees his answers... it's one thing to put things down on paper, it's another to answer questions in a conversation and answer honestly," Campbell said.
Campbell is unsure if his father has to reapply for unescorted temporary absences each year, or if he intends to apply for day parole or full parole.
"There's a major concern that as we move up to day parole, and particularly full parole, if there's a way for a convicted murderer to get full parole without going through an actual hearing where the victims have the opportunity to share their statements and be part of the process -- and this can all be done on paper -- there's a real concern with that," he said.
Campbell said not knowing the next steps and how it might unfold is unnerving for the victims.
"Not only our family, but the victims of other crimes have notably spoken up in the media saying they feel victims voices are being ignored or even silenced," said Campbell. "When you go to an all paper process, it very much feels like you've been gagged. If feels like you've been silenced and that your words are not being considered with the gravity that they should be."
Campbell said he and his fathers other victims have expressed their concerns over the process.
He added that his father continues to deny responsibility for his offence.
Donald Campbell was denied a request for early day parole in 2022.
A previous request for unescorted temporary absences made in 2024, which included a hearing, was also denied.
