The former politician André Boisclair presents a risk of recidivism too great to be able to leave prison at the sixth of his sentence, decided the Quebec Commission on conditional releases. The former leader of the Parti Québécois (PQ) therefore remains behind bars.
“Considering all the elements in the file, the Commission considers that the risk of recidivism that you present is currently unacceptable and that the process must continue in the security context of the incarceration”, indicates a decision made public Tuesday.
André Boisclair was sentenced in July to a prison term of two years less a day for having committed two sexual assaults on young men, including one case involving the participation of another person. The crimes, which André Boisclair admitted to having committed, occurred in January 2014 and November 2015.
In the first case, the former politician admitted having restrained the plaintiff by the upper body with a belt during a party which was taking place at his home. Mr. Boisclair, who was under the influence of drugs at the time, would then have ordered another person to enter the young man against his will. In the second case, André Boisclair allegedly committed acts of a sexual nature against a 23-year-old young man despite the victim’s repeated reluctance, who did not want to have a relationship with him.
The two victims subsequently filed a complaint with the police, leading to the issuing of arrest warrants for the man who was head of the PQ from 2005 to 2007.
A long way to go
“The Commission cannot disregard the objective gravity of the crimes you committed,” the seven-page decision reads. “The actions taken are intrusive, violent and highly abusive,” adds the decision, which notes that such behavior “requires intensive and long-term work” on the part of André Boisclair before he can reintegrate into society.
In recent months, Boisclair has started various therapies, in particular to counter his drug addiction, and regularly consults a sex therapist, indicates the decision of the Commission, which recognizes the efforts of the former politician. Mr. Boisclair was also not the subject of any disciplinary report during his incarceration.
“However, your prison file contains certain negative notes denouncing an arrogant attitude towards correctional service officers. Two memos from October 2022 mention that you are on the verge of issuing a disciplinary report,” the decision states.
The Commission also notes that André Boisclair refused to take part in a specialized program in sexual delinquency offered by his detention facility, which had nevertheless been recommended to him. A decision that “bears its consequences”, we can read.
“Participation in such a program could certainly have encouraged the deepening of your reflection, the acquisition of tools relevant to the prevention of recidivism, but also, would have allowed the specialized workers to draw a neutral and contemporary portrait, resulting from ‘prolonged observation of your sexual dynamics and possible treatment options,’ explains the Commission québécoise des libérations conditionnelles.
The latter therefore notes that the personal work that André Boisclair must carry out before being able to return to society “remains important”, all “in order to make the risk acceptable in the community”.