You won't believe what the psychiatrist said.
September 24, 2008 - Another one of those, "Only in Canada" stories, except you fear that any number of whacko NE states would rule the same way.
A former high school teacher who admitted to sexually abusing eight of his students has been granted day parole, in part because a program for sexual deviants is not offered in English at the penitentiary where he is incarcerated.TT - The victims must feel a whole lot better knowing he has another hobby.
Renwick Spence, 79, received a 30-month sentence in December after pleading guilty to indecent assault and gross indecency. His crimes, involving eight boys age 13 to 16, were committed between 1967 and 1981 while he was a biology teacher at Montreal West High School. He retired from teaching in 1984.
After appearing before the National Parole Board recently, two board members determined Spence is ready for release to a halfway house if he follows strict conditions. ...
During the parole hearing, Spence admitted there could have been more victims than the eight former students who filed complaints against him.
One condition of Spence's release is that he follow a treatment program "aimed at addressing his sexual deviancy" when a space becomes available at an unidentified halfway house. His case management team recommended the release in part because a similar treatment program is not available in English at the institution where he is serving time.
If Spence wants to leave the halfway house during his six-month stay, he must make a formal application that Correctional Service Canada will evaluate before the leave is approved.
He is also required to stay away from public parks, swimming pools or anywhere else young people are generally expected to be. He is not allowed to be in the presence of minors unless they are accompanied by an adult who is aware of Spence's sexual deviance.
According to a summary of the hearing, Spence's age and a lack of evidence to indicate he has reoffended since 1981 also contributed to the recommendation for his release. A psychiatrist who evaluated Spence before he was sentenced described him as belonging "to that category of pedophile that after a decade has moved on to other interests."
