A man who was sentenced to 20 years for sexually assaulting several Calgary women between 1988 and 1992 has been granted unescorted temporary absences from prison by the Parole Board of Canada.

Emile Cromwell, also known as the 'Hemlock Rapist’, was convicted of three counts of sexual assault with a weapon and one count of sexual assault causing bodily harm for attacks on four women who lived along Hemlock Crescent in the city’s southwest.

Cromwell lived in Bragg Creek for several years and was arrested by police in December of 2004 on the road just outside his home after advances in DNA technology linked him to the cases.

He will now be allowed day passes to see his family.

An assessment found that the chances of the 72-year-old reoffending are 'moderate to low risk' based largely on his age. 

For the next six months the National Parole Board will allow Cromwell 72 hours a month in visitation, but he must remain in his wife's home.