A notorious repeat convicted rapist has been released back onto the streets of Calgary, Global News learned Friday. The release is terrifying news to one of his victims.
James Alexander Parent has been let out on “statutory release,” according to the Parole Board of Canada.
Parent has been in and out of prison for decades. In 1987, he broke into a woman’s house, tied her up and repeatedly sexually assaulted her.
That woman is now living in fear, knowing he’s back in Calgary.
“Nobody even told me about his statutory release. Nobody told me he could get out two years early,” the victim, who no longer wants to be identified, told Global News.
The victim said she pleaded with the Parole Board of Canada to keep him out of the city, but they refused to include that condition as a part of his release.
“I don’t even want to go out. I don’t want to run into him.”
The board said his release is mandated by law, given he has served two thirds of his sentence.
In 2011, he was sentenced to 10 years in jail for a long string of offences including sexual assault with a weapon, sexual assault causing bodily harm, break and enter and commit sexual assault, disguise with intent, forcible confinement and uttering threats to cause death.
After credit for time served, he had just over seven years left in the sentence.
He also has a history of sexually abusing children.
The Parole Board noted Parent’s history of violence. He’s been in four institutional fights “because he didn’t like the people” while in prison.
He also “refused to complete programming” to address risk for offending.
“You remain untreated,” the board said.
In a written decision, the board told Parent: “you pose a high risk to reoffend sexually.”
The Calgary Police Service opposed Parent’s release into the community. However, given the release went ahead, police asked for a number of conditions that have now been imposed:
- Not to consume alcohol/drugs
- Not to associate with any known criminals
- No contact with victims
- Curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- No contact with children
“Because Mr. Parent is on statutory release, it is the responsibility of Correctional Service Canada to monitor him and ensure he is abiding by those release conditions,” said Staff Sgt. Brian Rayner of the Calgary Police Offender Management Unit.
CPS is now going through the legal processes to issue a duty to warn to the public.
“We always have to balance a person’s right to privacy, while at the same time ensuring the public’s safety,” Rayner said.
Parent’s victim believes he will reoffend.
“People should know that he’s out and that he’s dangerous.”
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