The head of prisons in Newfoundland and Labrador has been removed from their position following the uncovering of “financial and administrative irregularities” at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary. The Department of Justice and Public Safety has initiated an internal review into the financial and administrative procedures at the largest correctional facility in St. John’s.
An official statement from the Department of Justice and Public Safety acknowledged the irregularities at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary and emphasized the seriousness of such incidents, leading to prompt action being taken. Dan Chafe, who has been serving as the Superintendent of Prisons since 2020, is currently under scrutiny, although the department refrained from providing details on his status due to privacy reasons.
Susan Green, previously the provincial manager of institutional programs, has been appointed as the acting Superintendent of Prisons following these developments. The Department of Justice and Public Safety has enlisted the assistance of the Office of the Comptroller General in the review process and has informed the Office of the Auditor General about the situation. The latter has been notified of potential fraud but has not confirmed whether an investigation will be conducted.
Despite requests for comment, Dan Chafe has not responded to inquiries. The department awaits the findings of the review process and remains committed to addressing the issues at hand.