REGINA – As concerns are being raised over the release of Jared Charles into the community, the Regina Police Service (RPS) held a media availability on Wednesday regarding the matter.
Charles, who was released on Tuesday, has a criminal history of violent sexual offences and kidnapping involving children.
According to RPS deputy chief Lorilee Davies, Charles will be living in the Heritage Community in a residence approved by the court.
Under conditions given by the court, Charles cannot contact or access certain areas with children under the age of 16.
However, Davies said, Charles has made it clear he’s unwilling to abide by the conditions, increasing the risk of re-offending.
“It’s unfortunately the system that we live in,” she said regarding sexual offenders being allowed back into the public despite admitting they won’t follow their conditions.
Reporters asked Davies how his conditions would be monitored.
“Several times a week, partners with probation and Regina Police Service will be checking in to ensure that things are on track,” she said.
Davies also mentioned the RPS patrol officers, who are aware of where Charles resides and will keep an eye out for him.
One difference Davies pointed out between Charles and other sex offenders being released is those people who are released early have more conditions imposed on them.
Since Charles served his full sentence, it limits those condition options.
Along with Charles, the RPS advised of another sex offender, Ted Mercredi in the community yesterday.
Mercredi has been advised to be “a high risk to re-offend sexually and/or violently.”
When asked what more the police can do to ensure the public’s safety, Davies said their hands are a bit tied in that matter.
Even with that, Davies emphasized, “our number one [role is] ensuring that the public is aware that they are residing in our community, so by sharing that [information and] providing those photographs, that is really the key information.”