Ed Speidel, a 62-year-old federal prisoner battling a terminal lung disease, has been granted day parole on compassionate grounds, allowing him to spend his final days outside of prison with round-the-clock medical assistance, as confirmed by his lawyer to CTV News via email.
Mr. Speidel’s health challenges are formidable, with a diagnosis of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and rheumatoid arthritis. Medical assessments indicate that his lung function is at a mere 19 percent compared to that of healthy adults.
As we reported in July, Speidel voiced his profound fear of passing away while incarcerated. He stated, “My biggest fear is dying in jail. I don’t want to die in jail,” during a phone interview with CTV News, conducted from an office within the Matsqui Institution, a medium-security prison located in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
Last year, in July 2022, Speidel, who has spent a total of 41 years in prison, sought parole by exception—also referred to as compassionate or geriatric parole—during a hearing, but his request was denied.
This year, Speidel sought legal assistance and worked on an application for medically assisted death.
Speidel has maintained that, despite his history of robbery-related charges, he has never caused harm to anyone.
His case is emblematic of a larger issue concerning aging offenders in the federal prison system who face increasingly severe health risks. More than 1,700 prisoners, representing 25.6 percent of the prison population, are aged 50 years or older.
Lisa Crossley, associated with Prisoner Legal Services in Vancouver, emphasized the need for additional options for terminally ill prisoners. She stated, “For the vast majority of people, if you are terminally ill, what risks do you really pose? I think that should be asked, and there should be more options for people for some type of release. It is a matter of public importance that affects many people in federal prison.”
Ed Speidel’s compassionate day parole not only highlights the human aspect of incarceration but also prompts further discussions about the treatment and release options for terminally ill prisoners within the Canadian penal system.