Serial rapist re-arrested less than a week after public warning issued in Calgary

A notorious serial rapist is once again off Calgary streets and back in custody.

Sources confirm to Global News James Alexander Parent was arrested Thursday night.

Last Friday Calgary Police issued a warning to the public that Parent was a high risk to re-offend.

Parent, 58, had been living in downtown Calgary after being released from jail on “statutory release.”

At the time, the Parole Board of Canada said his release was mandated by law, given he had served two thirds of his sentence.

WATCH: Serial rapist James Alexander Parent back on Calgary streets

1:30 Serial rapist James Alexander Parent back on Calgary streets

Police said Friday a warrant was issued by Correctional Services of Canada (CSC) to suspend his statutory release. CSC wouldn’t release details of the arrest and couldn’t share details of why the warrant was issued, citing the Privacy Act.

“He’s still serving a federal sentence,” CSC spokesperson Jeff Campbell told Global News Friday. He declined to speak to Parent’s case, but said there are many potential reasons a statutory release could be suspended.

The Parole Board of Canada told Global News Friday they can’t comment on a specific case, but said when an offender is on conditional or “stat” release, CSC can suspend if they believe the risk to the public becomes “undue.”

CSC will then refer the offender to the parole board to have a hearing. What happens after that is up to the parole board.

“It could involve new charges, the circumstances could vary a lot…so consequently when something like that would happen, the parole officer would look at all information available, conduct interviews and assess: can this person be managed safely in a community setting or will they require transfer up to and including back in an institution?” Campbell said.

He said any decision would be weighed in the context of public safety.

In 1987, Parent broke into a woman’s house, tied her up and repeatedly sexually assaulted her.

That woman is now relieved he’s back in custody.

Global News contacted her Thursday evening after word of the arrest.

“I’m ecstatic. There couldn’t be better news,” the victim told Global News.

She said she has some peace of mind tonight knowing he’s back behind bars.

The victim had 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.

In 2011, Parent 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.

READ MORE: Serial rapist James Alexander Parent back on Calgary streets despite ‘high risk to reoffend’

Even in custody Parent offended violently. He was involved 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.

In a written decision, the board told Parent: “you pose a high risk to re-offend sexually.”

Parent also has convictions for sexual abuse against a child.

While released, Parent was subject to a list of conditions to follow including a curfew.

With files from Global’s Erika Tucker