The head of prisons in Newfoundland and Labrador is no longer in the role and the province has contacted the auditor general amidst the discovery of “financial and administrative irregularities” at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary.
The Department of Justice and Public Safety confirmed to CBC News early Tuesday that an internal review has been launched into financial and administrative processes at the province’s largest correctional facility in St. John’s.
“The Department of Justice and Public Safety identified financial and administrative irregularities at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary,” the department said in an emailed statement.
“The department takes any incidents like this very seriously, which is why it took immediate action.”
Dan Chafe has been the province’s Superintendent of Prisons since 2020, overseeing five correctional facilities and two lockups. He served as high sheriff for five years before that.
The department would not comment on Chafe’s current status citing human resources matters.
However, a spokesperson said Susan Green, the former provincial manager of institutional programs, is now acting Superintendent of Prisons. She was appointed on Aug. 12.
“The department has engaged the Office of the Comptroller General as part of the review process and looks forward to receiving the results once they are available,” the statement said.
The department has also notified the Office of the Auditor General. A representative from the office told CBC News said the department notified them Monday of potential fraud. It hasn’t yet been determined if the auditor general will do an investigation.
Chafe did not immediately respond to CBC News’ request for comment via his government email.
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