BANFF – A declared dangerous sex offender convicted of raping and leaving a pregnant Banff woman for dead almost 20 years ago won’t be getting out of prison any time soon.
A Parole Board of Canada decision last week denied Albert Muckle, now in his mid-40s, day or full parole following his conviction for the 2005 aggravated sexual assault and attempted murder of a then 21-year-old woman, who remains in a persistent vegetative state, unable to speak or move.
“It is the board’s opinion that you will, by reoffending, present an undue risk to society if released on day parole or full parole,” states the board’s Sept. 19 written decision.
“Your release will not contribute to the protection of society by facilitating your reintegration into society as a law-abiding citizen.”
In July 2005, Muckle met the young woman, who was pregnant, outside a nightclub in Banff while she was with a male friend; the friend left for a short time to go to a bank machine but when he returned Muckle and the woman were gone.
“The victim was found later that day on a riverbed. The victim was bloodied, bruised, and unconscious, with articles of her clothing and footwear strewn about the scene.”
“The victim was rushed to hospital where it was determined she had been sexually assaulted and strangled to the point that the lack of oxygen left her in a vegetative state.”
Muckle had admitted he had been using crystal methamphetamine for four or five days leading up to the offence.
He also reported he had not slept for days and said he had consumed significant amounts of alcohol before meeting the young woman.
After pleading guilty, he was declared a dangerous offender and was handed an indefinite prison sentence.
“At your dangerous offender hearing, the judge described your actions as brutal and that they led to a senseless tragedy,” states the parole board.
According to the parole board’s decision, the most recent psychological risk assessment on Muckle was completed in July 2024 and determined he continues to be a “very high risk for violent reoffending and an above-average risk of sexual reoffending.”
“The completing psychologist noted your risk is not compatible with any type of community release at this time, nor is it compatible with a transfer to lower security at this time,” it states.
The Correctional Service of Canada’s (CRS) assessment in August 2024 leading up to the parole board hearing noted Muckle has a poor supervision history, entrenched criminal attitudes and values, is a designated a dangerous offender, and has spent most of his life incarcerated in maximum-security.
He was moved to a medium-facility unit for the last two years, but the board stated he does not have a viable release plan and no community residential facilities, at this time, are willing to accept him for residency.
The board did note some improvements in Muckle’s behaviour in the last two years and noted his difficult background as an Indigenous person who had family who attended residential schools in Canada.
“You experienced an extremely dysfunctional upbringing with exposure to substance abuse, foster care and limited positive role models,” the board states.
“You were abused sexually, physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally during your childhood, and ultimately developed a pattern of running away,” it added.
“You have a long history of substance abuse … you displayed criminal behaviour and abused substances in an attempt to cope with negative emotions.”
