A Nova Scotia parole board has extended the day parole of a man convicted of the horrific 1987 rape and murder of a 12-year-old Ontario girl. Douglas Worth, now 73, will remain at a community-based residential facility in the Halifax area for an additional six months.
Board Cites Age and Health in Risk Assessment
In a December decision, the Parole Board of Canada acknowledged that Worth remains an "above-average risk" for committing sexual violence. However, the two-person panel determined that his advanced age, physical limitations, and mobility issues lessen the immediate threat he poses to the public.
"These characteristics suggest that your likelihood of engaging in violent or sexual recidivism may be lower than previously indicated," the board wrote. The decision emphasized that while these factors do not eliminate risk, they are significant in evaluating his overall profile.
A Decades-Old Crime and a Life Sentence
Douglas Worth was convicted of the second-degree murder of Trina Campbell in Brantford, Ontario, in 1987. The crime involved rape, murder, and decapitation. He received a life sentence with no chance of parole for 23 years.
After serving 35 years, Worth was first granted day parole and released to a facility in the Dartmouth area in July 2025. His release prompted an official public notification from the Halifax Regional Police, which labeled him a repeat "high-risk offender."
Supervised Release and Strict Conditions
Prior to his full day parole, Worth had participated in numerous supervised temporary absences from prison. The board's report noted that his conduct on day parole has been "positive" and without reported concerns, even amid significant public and media scrutiny following his release.
He remains subject to a long list of strict conditions, including:
- Complete abstinence from drugs and alcohol.
- Strict adherence to his correctional and psychiatric treatment plans.
- A prohibition on any contact with his victims or their families.
- A ban on being near children or places children frequent.
The parole extension means these conditions will remain in force for the next half-year as Worth continues to live under supervision in the community.
