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MP’s office hears outrage over Olsen parole

Central Albertans are telling Red Deer MP Earl Dreeshen loud and clear that they’re unhappy with a Parole Board of Canada decision to grant day parole to a drunk driver who killed the parents of five children.

Central Albertans are telling Red Deer MP Earl Dreeshen loud and clear that they’re unhappy with a Parole Board of Canada decision to grant day parole to a drunk driver who killed the parents of five children.

After the Conservative MP was quoted in Wednesday’s Advocate saying that he’s had little reaction to Chad Mitchell Olsen receiving day parole a week ago, his Red Deer office has since been flooded with calls.

The parole board granted day parole to the 24-year-old resident of Sedalia following a hearing at Bowden Institution.

Olsen’s pickup truck rammed into a car occupied by Krista, 35, and Brad Howe, 34, on Feb. 7, 2010, on Red Deer’s south side. Olsen had three times the legal limit of alcohol in his blood.

Dreeshen was unavailable for comment on Thursday, but his constituency assistant Colin Connon said that people are phoning, emailing and sending faxes about their concerns.

“We’ve had a ton — it’s probably the biggest single-response item we’ve gotten in such a short time,” said Connon. “In two days, we’ve gotten over 60 phone calls, plus emails, letters, plus faxes. We’ve got the (Advocate) to thank for that.”

Connon said Central Albertans are demanding changes.

“The laws are there but they’re not being used the way people want them to be used,” said Connon. “And of course, everyone has heartfelt condolences for the family as well.”

Dreeshen said he intended to talk with Public Safety Minister Vic Toews to relay concerns from the family of the Howes.

“He did talk with the minister’s office (on Thursday in Ottawa), not the minister quite yet,” said Connon. “There’s not too much to report just yet. It’s mostly making sure of letting them know what’s going on and what’s being said in this community. There will be more follow-up in the future.”

Olsen was given a three-and-a-half year jail term following an Alberta Court of Appeal decision. Olsen was originally sentenced last April to two years and three months after earlier pleading guilty to two counts of impaired driving causing death. Olsen was living in the minimum-security annex at Bowden Institution, but following last Friday’s decision will be moved over to a half-way house where he will face certain conditions.

Parole Board of Canada spokesman Gary Sears said Olsen’s day parole runs for a six-month period and shortly before that the board will hold another parole hearing to make another decision.

Sears said the board can choose to maintain the present status of day parole and keep attached conditions. They could also create additional conditions if there’s been any identifiable risks. Another option is to reduce conditions.

Sears said the board could grant full parole at that time, which could run until Olsen is granted statutory release. The board doesn’t give statutory or conditional release because it’s legislated by law.

Sears said the board only reviews decisions under certain circumstances.

Unless the offender appeals the decision, the board’s decision stands, Sears said.

“The conditions under which a board would review a decision is if the circumstances change — if there is a violation of the conditions imposed, or a new risk has been presented that the board didn’t have before it when it made its decision.”

ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com