Frank Skani, violent sex offender, released without warning in Vancouver

A violent sex offender is back on Vancouver's streets, but no public warning has been issued, the CBC has learned.

Frank Skani has been in and out of jail all his life for vicioussexual offences and is considered a high risk to re-offend.

He was the subject of a public warning by Vancouver policein 2011, but the last time he was released in 2013, police issued no warning and he quickly committed another violentassaultin Burnaby.

Skani attackedhis wife'sneighbour"Kate"(not her real name) in her own kitchen,afterasking to borrow pancake syrup, choking her on the floor.As she started passing out,she thrashed,broke his grip,and he fled.

Kate says releasing Skani again without issuing a public warning is endangering women in Metro Vancouver.

"I'm disgusted thatthis guy is out and that there is no public warning," she said."He's a tornado waiting to erupt. It's brewing and it will erupt. It's unfortunate for the next person, but it will come."

Skani monitored every 3 hours

Skani was released from jail on August 19, after serving time for his assault on Kate.

According to the Parole Board decision, obtained by the CBC, Skani has"an extensivecriminal history with nearly 50 convictions" and hasan"assessed high risk to re-offend violently and sexually."

To reduce the danger to the public, Kate says she's been told Skani has been released into the Salvation Army's Belkin House in downtown Vancouver.

Katesays she was initially assured by Corrections officials that Skani would remain on a secure floor, indefinitely.

But shesays she'snow been informed Skani is being allowed out, every dayuntil 7 p.m. PT to look for work as a drywaller, while authorities check up on him, visually, every three hours.

'People would stop paying attention'

In an emailstatement, Jean-Paul Lorieau with theCorrectional Service of Canada said the serviceworks closely with all police jurisdictions in which offenders live.

Lorieausaid the service is legally required to provide police withan up-to-date offender photograph,a copy of the offender's release certificate andstandard profile, and the parole board's decision sheet, all within 24 hours of release.

"The final decision on whether to issue a public notification or warning on any particular offender rests with the local police force," saidLorieau.

In a statement, Const. Brian Montaguesaid Vancouver police arecurrently monitoring about 45 high risk offenders who have chosen to live in the city.

"Unfortunately we cannot provide a public warning for every offender, as people would simply stop paying attention," said Montague.

Montague says the force looks at all the circumstances involved, including offender assessments, privacy laws and public safety concerns, when deciding whether to issue a warning or pursue other public safety options.

In a short email statement, Sgt. Annie Linteau with the Lower Mainland DistrictRCMP said she could not speak about specificoffenders.

"When we receive information that such a person is residing in an RCMP jurisdiction it is looked at on a case-by-case basis," said Linteau.

'He preys on women'

"I just can't believe it, that this is the way the system works. Very shocked ... You'd think the public would be better protected but they're not," Kate told the CBC.

Kate says police are now pledgingto go door-to-door in the neighbourhoods where she and her parents live, as well as inVancouver, to show Skani's photo and urge anyone who sees him to call 911.

But, she says, it's not enough Skaniis a seriousthreat and a public warning should have been issued as soon as he was released.

"He is a sexual offender. He preys on women. He knows exactly what he's doing."