Inmate who escaped from N.B. prison has long history of violent crimes
An inmate who escaped from Dorchester Penitentiary in Dorchester, N.B., on Saturday evening has a history of violent crimes and escaping custody.
In a news release sent Sunday, Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) stated inmate Jermaine Browne was not accounted for at the minimum-security unit of the penitentiary around 8:35 p.m.
Browne was recaptured in the community without incident around 10 p.m., the New Brunswick RCMP confirmed to CTV News on Monday.
Previous criminal history
On Tuesday, CSC confirmed Browne is also known as Jermaine Carvery.
Carvery was sentenced by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court in 2013 for attempted murder, robbery and forcible confinement for four robberies that totalled close to $500,000 in cash and goods.
Carvery was involved in robberies at a Costco in Halifax in 2004, a TRA Cash and Carry in Truro, Chrissy's Trading Post in Hammonds Plains and at Direct Cash in Dartmouth in 2006.
All of the robberies in Nova Scotia involved Carvery, who acted with one or more accomplices, holding employees hostage with weapons.
At the Costco robbery, the perpetrators bound and in some cases duct taped the eyes of roughly 40 employees over a period of two and a half hours.
At the time, the Crown prosecution compared the robbery scene to a Hollywood movie.
Carvery escaped custody in Halifax in April, 2008 and was arrested two months later at a hotel in Niagara Falls, Ont.
He had escaped after freeing himself from double-locked leg shackles and bolted from two corrections officers in Halifax as he arrived at hospital for day surgery.
Most recent escape attempt
CSC spokesperson Sophia Doiron said when the inmate was not accounted for on Saturday, the RCMP was contacted immediately.
Police say they were able to locate and arrest Carvery in the community without incident on Saturday night.
When an offender is recaptured, Doiron says a new risk assessment is carried out ensuring they continue to be placed in an institution with an appropriate security level.
"This inmate’s Warrant Expiry Date is July 25, 2050. However, this may be subject to change as the escape could result in new criminal charges," said Doiron in an email to CTV News.
Carvery's sentence began on Nov. 26, 2008 and he had been in CSC custody since that time.
Doiron said CSC assesses all inmates on a regular basis to ensure they are placed at the appropriate security level.
When considering the transfer of inmates to lower-security level facilities, CSC says it takes into account progress made in addressing needs identified in the inmate’s correctional plan.
That plan outlines what inmates must do to address the factors that led to their criminal behaviour.
"Only those offenders who are assessed as having a low risk to public safety can be placed in a minimum-security institution," said Doiron.
Dorchester Penitentiary in Dorchester, N.B., is pictured on April 16, 2024.
Minimum security
According to the CSC, the environment of a minimum-security institution is intended to develop an inmate’s capacity to operate with minimal monitoring. The agency says it plays an important role in the process of reintegrating offenders back into the community and helping them become law-abiding citizens.
“So this is a way to try to transition them from life in federal penitentiary to life on the outside. It's a slow process, but it's a gradual one. And many make the transition, but some do not,” said Saint Thomas University criminologist professor Michael Boudreau.
“We should not be surprised that, despite his criminal record, he would be after sixteen years in this position in a low-security area.”
Concerned residents
Some long-time Dorchester residents said they were concerned when they found out an inmate with such a long history of violent crimes was incarcerated at a minimum security facility.
“He was definitely in the wrong place, he was in the wrong institution. He should have been behind the wall and not outside in a condominium,” said Greg Partridge, Dorchester fire chief. “The minimum security, it's just condominiums, that's all they are.”
“I don't know why a man with that history would be here doing a 40-year sentence, he should be up in the Renous prison. This one here is for the more minor criminals and I just don't understand it,” said Dorchester resident Dave Methot.
Debbie Wiggins-Colwell, former Dorchester mayor and current Tantramar municipal councillor, lives across the road from where Carvery was apprehended.
“It is a bit of a concern to me. I put a lot of faith into our correction services there,” said Wiggins-Colwell.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Most of the city is evacuating': Gridlock on Alberta highway after evacuation order in Fort McMurray
Four Fort McMurray neighbourhoods were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday as a wildfire gets closer to the city.
Sask. police seize 1.5M pieces of evidence, lay 60 more charges in child exploitation case
Saskatchewan RCMP have revealed that a historic sexual assault investigation has led to the discovery of alleged crimes against children dating back to 2005.
'Inappropriate' behaviour shuts down Dublin to New York City portal
Less than a week after two public sculptures featuring a livestream between Dublin, Ireland, and New York City debuted, 'inappropriate behaviour' in real-time interactions between people in the two cities has prompted a temporary shutdown.
Oilers starting Calvin Pickard in goal for Game 4 vs. Canucks
The Edmonton Oilers will start Calvin Pickard in net Tuesday for Game 4 of their playoff series with the Vancouver Canucks.
Biden administration moving ahead on US$1 billion arms package for Israel, AP sources say
The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it is sending a new package of more than US$1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel, two congressional aides said Tuesday.
King Charles III unveils his first official portrait since his coronation
King Charles III has unveiled the first portrait of the monarch completed since he assumed the throne, a vivid image that depicts him in the bright red uniform of the Welsh Guards against a background of similar hues.
Full List Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
About 1,000 wildfires confirmed so far this year: Here's a quick look at the situation in Canada
Nearly 1,000 wildfires have burned across Canada so far this year. Here's an overview of the situation in Canada.