PCs attack Justice Minister over federal parolee
Posted Oct 30, 2015 06:14:58 AM.
Last Updated Oct 30, 2015 06:27:31 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s Justice Minister and a member of the Progressive Conservative caucus aren’t seeing eye-to-eye on parole conditions imposed on a man convicted of sexual assault and break and enters in the Halifax-area while women slept.
Barry Edward Sinclair, 53, was serving a four year sentence for breaking in to young women’s apartments in Halifax and watching them while they sleep in 2012.
Sinclair was recently granted parole by the Parole Board of Canada, and while police confirm he won’t be residing in the Halifax-area, there’s been no public awareness of where Sinclair will be living.
The Parole Board has listed Sinclair as a moderate risk to re-offend criminally in general, as well as a high risk to re-offend sexually.
On Thursday, PC Justice Critic Allan MacMaster said Nova Scotians should have peace of mind knowing where Sinclair is.
“This guy as I understand is out on the street right now, I don’t know where he is, no one really knows where he is,” MacMaster said.
MacMaster echoed a repeated called from the PCs for the provincial Liberals to expand the ankle bracelet monitoring program.
Justice Minister Diana Whalen responded Thursday, pointing out Sinclair is a federal prisoner, and the province has little if any recourse if the Parole Board of Canada makes a decision.
MacMaster said the safety concerns should overide any conflicts with jurisdiction between the province and the feds.
“The public should know the justice system here in Nova Scotia is taking steps to make their safety a priority,” said MacMaster.
When asked if the province could have somehow intervened, Whalen said upon her review of the file she doesn’t believe so.
“I really believe it’s not in our hands at all,” Whalen said.
“One of things I looked at is ….. when the new [federal] minister is in place and we have our meetings, I think it will be a good subject to discuss where we can express concerns.”
Sinclar will remain under strict conditions until his sentence is complete in February 2017.
He will be closely monitored, is prohibited from consuming or possessing drugs or alcohol, and will have to participate in a sexual deviancy treatment program.
