Hulu’s Under the Bridge episode 7 depicts Warren Glowatski’s trial and verdict, raising questions about what happened to him afterward. Based on the eponymous book by Rebecca Godfrey, Under the Bridge depicts a fictionalized version of the murder of a 14-year-old girl named Reena Virk from Saanich, Canada. The miniseries follows the aftermath of the crime, putting an extra focus on Reena Virk’s parents – Manjit and Suman Virk – and her killers – Warren Glowatski and Kelly Ellard.

After multiple episodes of build-up, the ending of Under the Bridge episode 7 finally shows the trial of Warren Glowatski and the verdict. The episode paints Warren as a sympathetic character who struggles with the guilt of his actions. However, he also lies in order to protect himself, pointing to the idea that he doesn’t appreciate the gravity of his actions. This raises questions about what happened to Glowatski after his trial, whether he eventually admitted to his full involvement in the murder, and whether he reformed.

Warren Glowatski Was Denied Day Parole After 5 Years In Prison (But Was Granted It 3 Years Later)

Warren Glowatski Took Advantage Of Rehabilitative Opportunities While In A Minimum-Security Prison

The minimum time Warren Glowatski was required to spend imprisoned was 7 years, at which point he could apply for parole. Including his time in juvie, which started two years prior to his 1999 conviction, his earliest parole date was in late 2004. In Canada, a prisoner can receive two primary types of parole: day and full. During day parole, a person is released to a community-based residential facility, where they can engage in employment and education. This first step allows prisoners to acclimate to the outside world before getting full parole. In 2004, Warren Glowatski applied for day parole.

According to CBC, Glowatski argued for his day parole on the basis that he changed because of two factors. Firstly, he discovered his Metis heritage while in prison, changing his perspective. Secondly, he realized the pain and destruction caused by his actions. This argument was certainly bolstered by his conduct in prison, outlined in Rebecca Godfrey’s Under the Bridge. Glowatski had been moved to Ferndale Institution, a minimum security prison that is difficult to enter, one year earlier. He’d also taken multiple anger management classes and started studying with a criminology professor. Glowatski also volunteered for a restorative justice program.

Glowatski spent the next three years in the Ferndale Institution, engaging more with restorative justice and working on himself.

However, CBC explains that Warren Glowatski was denied day parole because the board felt he had not fully dealt with the episodes of violence prior to and leading up to murdering Reena Virk. Glowatski spent the next three years in the Ferndale Institution, engaging more with restorative justice and working on himself. He took rehabilitation courses during this time and mentored at-risk youths. According to Godfrey’s book, he didn’t have a single offense on his prison record. When he reapplied for day parole in 2007, with the support of the Virks, he was granted his request (via CBC).

Warren Glowatski Discovering He Was Metis In Prison Contributed To His Restorative Justice Process

Warren Glowatski’s Metis Identity Allowed Him To Connect With Restorative Justice

While in prison, Warren Glowatski discovered that he was part Metis on his mother’s side. According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, Metis is an identity label for people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry from Canada. According to the Afterword published in the 2019 reprint of Under the Bridge, when Glowatski learned of his heritage, he became even more drawn towards restorative justice – a practice focused on bringing together the harmed parties and perpetrators in order to heal the damage done.

Restorative justice is based on non-Western and aboriginal principles, which allowed Glowatski to connect with it even more. During the restorative justice program at his prison, Glowatski met Reena Virk’s parents multiple times, exploring Warren’s remorse and the Virks’ loss with the help of facilitators. During this time, he also volunteered for the program in some capacity, though the specifics of his role are unknown. He became passionate about the philosophy, even debating its merits with Sergeant John Bond while on the way to Kelly Ellard’s second trial.

By 2007, when he reapplied for day parole, he had developed such a deep connection with his heritage that he requested his Metis elders be involved in his parole process. According to CBC, a Metis elder was allowed to perform a traditional smudge ceremony at the beginning of the hearing.

Reena Virk’s Parents Forgave Warren Glowatski While He Was In Prison

Suman And Manjit Virk Participated In A Restorative Justice Program With Warren Glowatski

While Warren Glowatski was in prison, he became involved in a restorative justice program, which was an important step toward healing for both Glowatski and the Virks. Despite the immense pain that the young man caused them, the Virks agreed to participate in restorative justice sessions with Glowatski. Manjit Virk explained to Rebecca Godfrey that he felt it would harden Warren’s heart if they shut him out. The Afterword of Under the Bridge details one of the restorative justice meetings between the three individuals.

After the board announced that he would be granted day parole, Suman Virk hugged Glowatski tightly, and Manjit Virk shook his hand.

The Virks shared cherished memories involving Reena, allowing Warren Glowatski to see the family and relationships he ripped apart. Warren told the Virks about the night of Reena’s murder, sharing with them his feelings of horror and remorse over his and Kelly’s actions. This process, though painful, brought about reconciliation, at which point Suman and Manjit Virk offered their forgiveness. They felt that Warren Glowatski’s remorse and desire for forgiveness were genuine.

Reena Virk’s parents attended Glowatski’s day parole hearing in 2007 to support him in an amazing show of mercy. They explained to the parole board they supported his release because he was on a good path. According to CBC, after the board announced that he would be granted day parole, Suman Virk hugged Glowatski tightly, and Manjit Virk shook his hand. The three met again later that afternoon on a farm with the restorative justice group, where the three spoke privately. While a happy ending would never be possible for the Virks, hopefully, they felt peace after this process.

Warren Glowatski Was Released From Prison On Full Parole In 2010

Warren Glowatski Has Remained Out Of The Public Eye Since His Release From Prison

After 11 years in prison and a total of 13 years incarcerated, Warren Glowatski was approved for full parole in 2010. At the time, Glowatski was living in an apartment part-time and getting an education. He struggled to find work outside of prison due to his criminal past. At the hearing, the parole board determined that he no longer posed an undue risk to the public (via CBC).

The terms of his full parole stipulated that Glowatski still had to report to a parole officer, have no association with known criminals, and not use intoxicants. If he violated any of these rules, his parole would be revoked. Since then, Warren Glowatski has remained off the radar, disappearing from the public eye. He has not made any public comment about Javon Walton’s portrayal of Warren in Hulu’s Under the Bridge. It’s probable he will choose to remain silent as the series comes to a close.