Douglas Garland is still considered a person of interest in the disappearance of three Calgarians and parole documents obtained by CTV News show he was given parole just months after being sentenced to jail for drug and identity theft charges back in 2000.
According to documents obtained from the Parole Board of Canada, Garland was labelled a low risk to reoffend and was ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluations before his release to a halfway house.
In its accelerated review decision the board said:
“The Board is satisfied that there are no reasonable grounds to believe that, if released, you are likely to commit an offence involving violence before the expiration of your sentence, and directs your release at your eligibility date.”
The documents also detail other criminal charges against Garland including possessing a prohibited weapon and assault but those charges were thrown out.
The parole board said in its report:
"While the weapons and assault charges are indicative that you may commit a violent offence, given that you are 40 years of age and have never incurred a conviction for violence and in the absence of documented indicators of a propensity for violence, there are no reasonable grounds to believe release is likely to result in a violent crime prior to warrant expiry date."
The board also noted that Garland's mental health issues appeared to have contributed to his criminal activities, but that…
"Your mental health is assessed as having stabilized and with close monitoring in the community residential facility and by mental health professionals, you are assessed as a manageable risk. The charges you incurred were for alleged behavior prior to the current convictions."
The documents do not say what mental health issues Garland suffered from and were the last time the parole board had official contact with him.
