Convicted sex offender talks about reintegrating into society

WARNING: This story contains details of crimes which may be disturbing to some people.

Would you want a convicted sex offender living in your community?

Many residents in Abbotsford, B.C. have made it clear that they don't staging frequent protests after convicted sex offender James Conway moved into a halfway house in that city last month.

• Sex offender James Conway focus of Abbotsford rally
• Abbotsford sex offender protests prompt action from city hall

Now the city of Abbotsford is asking Conway to leave, arguing that the halfway house he currently lives in, is in violation of zoning bylaws.

To get some perspective on the issue,CBC Radio One's On the Coast recently spoke toaconvicted sex offender who has been living in anothercommunity since his release in 2011.

The offender, who we'll refer to as John to protect the identity of his victims,served a 20-year sentencethat startedin 1991.

John shared his story with host Stephen Quinn.

Stephen Quinn: In all, you served three sentences, and spent 28 years behind bars. What were the crimes you committed?

John: I committed the crimes of rape, armed robbery,and aggravated sexual assault.

Tell me about the circumstances of those crimes.

The rape happened in 1979 and it involved a 60-year-old woman.I had originally went there to rob thehouse of money and then I ended up raping the older lady after I had to search the house for the money.

And do you have any idea why you did that?

A lot of it had to do with anger. I was angry because they didn't give me the money right away.

And so you raped a 60-year-old woman.

Yes, while her husband watched.

Did you ever find out how the victims managed to get through this?

No.

Let's talk about the aggravated sexual assault. What happened there?

That happened with with a female acquaintance.One night I got extremely drunk and I was using all sorts of different pills, and my cousin picked me up and I ended up raping her and then I slit her throat and left her for dead.

She survived the attack though?

Yes sir.

How old were you at the time?

I was about 30 years old.

You mentioned you were drunk, you were taking pills...does that excuse you of this crime?

Of course not. Being drunk or being high on pills or whatever and you committed a crime like this, it's no excuse. I take full responsibility for my action.

You served 20 years after your last conviction back in April of 1991 for that crime. One of the conditions of your release was to live under supervision and curfew in a halfway house. Take me into those first few weeks back in the community what was that time like for you?

When I first came to Regina I knew absolutely nobody except three people. Then when I went to the halfway house I had a meeting with my parole officer and the police officer to inform me that they were going to put my face [on pictures out to] the public so the public would know I'm in Regina. And I really had no problem with that.

What happened when you were looking for work?

Work was very hard to find at first. It took me almost a year and a half before I was able to find a job.

What did you tell people about who you were and what you had done? When did you disclose that?

I've told quite a few people. I've told the COSA group that I've worked with at the halfway house that would come and see me. A lot of people that I associate with now also know that I was in prison and what I was in prison for.

Tell me more about this group at the halfway house.What was it exactly?

It was Circles of Support and Accountability. It helped me to be accountable for what I was doing and so basically they're helping me to trust strangers, to help me to actually finish my time for once in 34 years.

When you hear about people who are protesting against sex offenders moving into their communities, what do you think?

I think it's sad because the parole board has to release them so they send them to a halfway house and the person really has no choice but to go there.

He could ask to stay in prison but once his sentence is finished then he still has to come out. It's better to put him in a halfway house and put groups like COSA and psychologists and people like that to work with him. This way it helps so they don't return. This way there's no more victim[s].

But do you understand why people would be afraid and angry?

Of course. If I was in their shoes I would probably be angry also, and afraid. But I think people are happier to learn from the individual himself about the things that he's done to get himself into prison and the things he's done since to reintegrate back into society.

If you're placed in the security of a halfway house, they can see how your progress is going, and it's best to work with the individual now instead of just kicking him out of jail and saying, "Okay here, go fend for yourself," because then people really have no knowledge of what's going on.

In Abbotsford, B.C. people are protesting outside the halfway house where a recently released sex offender is living. In your case, how important was that halfway house to you?

It was very important.I knew what I had to do to stay out.I had to follow the rules and the regulations that were put upon me and also the rules of society.

You say you are accountable for what you've done, that you take responsibility for your crimes. Beyond serving time in jail, what does that mean?

It means that for me there's no more victims. I went through a lot of programs and a lot of work in the institution to get where I am. I've finished my time and I did not go back to prison with a new sentence.

You mean there haven't been any more victims since you committed those crimes.

Yes.

What do you say to people who are worried you might re-offend?

All I can say is that I work everyday to make sure I don't put myself into a situation to re-offend. I don't drink anymore, so that's a big plus for myself.

This interview has been edited and condensed.