The head of prisons in Newfoundland and Labrador has stepped down from the 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 correctional facility in St. John’s, the largest in the province.
Confirming the irregularities, the Department of Justice and Public Safety stated that prompt action was taken upon identifying the issues. Dan Chafe, who had been serving as the Superintendent of Prisons since 2020, overseeing several correctional facilities, is no longer in the role. Susan Green, the former provincial manager of institutional programs, has been appointed as the acting Superintendent of Prisons.
The department has enlisted the Office of the Comptroller General for the review process and has informed the Office of the Auditor General about the situation. The Auditor General’s office has been notified of potential fraud but has not decided on conducting an investigation yet.
Despite requests for comment, Chafe did not respond immediately. The department emphasized its commitment to addressing the irregularities and is awaiting the results of the review process.
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