The sibling of a 33-year-old single mother who was murdered more than ten years ago is calling for revisions to the Criminal Code after the individual convicted of the crime was allowed brief escorted leaves from prison for spiritual purposes. Kirstin Swanson is contending that Schuyler Van Wissen should not be granted escorted temporary absences from the facility where he is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder in relation to her sister, Gina Swanson’s, demise.
Expressing her dismay, Kirstin stated, “We were under the impression that justice would mean at least 25 years of peace for my family and friends. However, the news of these escorted temporary absences feels like a reset of the painful ordeal.” She proposed that allowing such leaves is unfair and highlights a flaw in Canadian legislation that she believes needs amending – specifically, ensuring that individuals convicted of first-degree murder are ineligible for such privileges until they are eligible to apply for parole after 25 years.
Gina was discovered deceased on the floor of her residence in the Fort Garry area on May 14, 2011. Prosecutors alleged during the trial that Van Wissen committed heinous acts against Gina that fateful morning, resulting in her tragic death. Despite pleading not guilty, Van Wissen was found guilty of first-degree murder by a jury in 2016 and received a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 25 years. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offender registry for two decades and subjected to a lifetime ban on possessing weapons.
In a decision in August 2025, the Parole Board of Canada disclosed that Van Wissen had been granted escorted leaves of absence from prison, enabling him to attend Muslim religious services. The leaves, according to documents obtained by CBC News, permit Van Wissen three 3½-hour-long absences over the upcoming year for personal development and rehabilitative purposes.
The parole panel acknowledged the severity of Van Wissen’s crime, describing it as “very brutal and sexual” and noted the strong opposition from the family toward any form of conditional release. Despite recognizing some progress in his rehabilitation, the panel emphasized that Van Wissen still had work to do in understanding the motives behind his violent actions.
Kirstin Swanson, along with Gina’s daughter, who is now 21, found the news overwhelming. Kirstin conveyed her dissatisfaction with the justice system, labeling it as “very broken.” She wrote a letter to federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser criticizing the parole board’s decision to grant Van Wissen the escorted temporary absences.
Aiden Enns, the Executive Director of the John Howard Society, expressed empathy for families affected by grave violence like murder. He highlighted the dual purpose of the correctional system, emphasizing not only protection but also rehabilitation and reintegration of incarcerated individuals.
Enns explained that eligibility for escorted temporary absences indicates significant progress in rehabilitation and reintegration. He emphasized the importance of viewing individuals as potentially high-functioning members of society who can find meaning in positive paths rather than merely as subjects of punishment or violence.
