Graham James ready for release despite parole board concerns

The Parole Board of Canada approved Graham James'application for day parole, but there are concerns about his lack of "heartfelt" empathy, according to the documents on the decision that were just released.

"You seem to have intellectualised your empathy but the board cannot conclude it is heartfelt," the parole board said in its decision.

James is in the midst of a seven year sentence for sexual assaults committed in the 1980s and 1990s. His victims include Theo Fleury, Todd Holt and Sheldon Kennedy.

"The physical and psychological harm caused is undeniable," the parole board said.

• Graham James' victims call granting of day parole a 'farce'

The newly released documents are shedding light on the Jan. 25 decision, which was met with outrage from the public and his victims.

"Graham James raped us players," Holt said in response to the ruling. "It's a farce If I was a pedophile out there today I'd be laughing at the justice system."

The documents say that James admitted to a psychologist he is "still attracted to adolescent males and young men aged 15 to 25."

However, the parole board also noted that a psychological report from November of 2015 stated James presents "a low risk of sexual recidivism." The parole board addshe has not re-offended since his first arrest and therapy, representing a period of close to 20 years.

It calls his therapy during his first sentence a seeming "turning point in [his] reflection."

Full parole denied

Still the parole board remained concerned with a couple of areas in James' recovery, leading to his request for full parole to be denied.The document noted the board questions his ability to stay away from risky situations.

It flagged that he put himself back in high risk situations after his first sentence by going back to coaching and searching foryoung adult males oninternetsites.

After his first release in 2000, James went to Spain to coach hockey there. James told the parole board that everyone involved was aware of his past and that he imposed rules on himself to manage his risk of reoffending, but it also noted that James, despite his age, has a "propensity to engage in relations with vulnerable men."

The report says the hearing highlighted that James confused his role as a coach in authority with his search for friendship, love affairs and sexual partners, but an October 2015 psychological report said his risk would be acceptable on day parole and that his case workers consider his release plan both viable and realistic.

It says upon release he will have the support of his father, sister and one of his brothers as well as some friends.

In granting day parole, the board imposed several conditions on James, including:

• Not being with male children under the age of 18 unless he's with an adult aware of his convictions and approved by his parole supervisor.
• No direct or indirect contact with his victims or members of their families.
• Six hours of volunteer work a week to help improve his empathy.
• Reporting all his intimate sexual and non-sexual relationships and friendships with boys or men to his parole supervisor and any attempts to initiate intimate relationships and friendships with boys or men.

James is also prohibited from seeking, obtaining or continuing any employment or volunteer work that would put him in a position of trust or authority over anyone under the age of 18.