Serial killer won't be transferring prisons

A killer known as the Monster of Miramichi will not be transferring prisons, says New Brunswick Public Safety Minister John Foran.

Foran responded to a report published in the Moncton Times and Transcript on Tuesday that suggested Allan Legere may be transferring prisons.

Legere is serving a life sentence at a super-maximum-security facility at the special handling unit at Ste-Anne-des-Plaines Institution near Montreal that houses some of Canada's most dangerous offenders.

Media reports on Tuesday suggested Legere may be transferring to a less secure maximum facility in Port-Cartier, Que.

The suggestion, cited as coming from an unnamed source "close to the decision," sparked fear and outrage in the Miramichi area.

Legere murdered five people in the Miramichi area between 1986 and 1989.

He was sentenced to life in prison for the 1986 murder of John Glendenning, a shopkeeper in Black River Bridge, but escaped from custody two years later and committed four murders while on the loose.

The manhunt ended in November 1989 when Legere surrendered to police near Nelson, N.B.

"Even the local politicians are shocked as we are because they weren't advised either," Cormier told CBC News. "It just comes right out of the blue, and we're hoping to halt this and stop it if we can."

Cormier said people in the community are concerned that Legere may escape again.

"It happened before when he was with Corrections Canada locally and he did escape. We all know the rest of the story."

Cormier sent a letter and called federal Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day, who is responsible for prisons, about the alleged transfer.

Legere won't be 'downgraded': N.B. minister

Foran said he has spoken with Day and has been assured Legere will not be transferring prisons.

"He's well aware of the case, and that there's no chance of Mr. Legere ever being moved back to New Brunswick," Foran said. "Inmate Legere is not going to be downgraded."

Foran, a former police officer in the Miramichi area, said he has a history of dealing with Legere, dating back to the early 1970s.

"Personally, I believe that he should never be allowed out when his time comes," Foran said. "He devastated my community and I don't want to see us go back to that."

The minister did not ask Day if the alleged transfer had been true and then was cancelled, or if the media reports had been incorrect.

Corrections Canada has not returned phone calls from CBC News.