SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Bobby Zoe, 32, a registered sex offender, was recently released from jail. No one was warned, not even the person he attacked.

Bobby Zoe, 32, right, recently released from jail after sexually assaulting and robbing a woman in 2011, was arrested following a break-in at a home in Old Town early Friday morning. A family was at home at the time but the suspect fled after their dog began to bark. - NNSL file photo

Zoe was arrested last Friday and charged with breaking into a home in Old Town the previous night. A family was home and their dog scared the intruder away.

RCMP also charged Zoe with breaching his probation.

The woman he sexually assaulted a year and a half ago, who no longer resides in Yellowknife, says she was not told he would be released from jail before his sentence was up.

The young woman was walking down 53 Street east of Franklin Avenue on Jan. 2, 2011 when Zoe, who was unknown to her, approached from behind, threw her to the ground and began to choke her. Her screams alerted two men living in a house nearby who chased him away.

On April 11, 2012, Zoe was sentenced to 39 months in prison for sexually assaulting and robbing the woman. He was given credit for the 15 months he served waiting for his trial, reducing his sentence to two years less a day.

This wasn't Zoe's first time committing a sexual offence. He was previously convicted of one sexual assault, as well as sexual interference of a minor.

Zoe was to be on probation for one year following his release this year, with conditions not to contact his victim, take counselling as directed, not consume alcohol or drugs and report to his probation officer when required.

If he had served his full sentence, Zoe would have been released on April 11, 2014.

Midge Ravensdale, acting director for corrections services, said there are a number of ways offenders can be released before their time is up. She said if inmates are well behaved and participate in programs, they qualify for remission.

"They're what we call sentence-satisfied," she said.

Ravensdale said inmates who qualify for remission can be released as early as two-thirds of the way through their sentence. There's also a temporary absence program which allows inmates to be released into the community for various reasons. Ravensdale said anything that helps offenders reintegrate into the community can earn them a temporary absence release.

The Justice department refused to comment on Zoe's particular case or say when he was released.

If Zoe qualified for full remission, he might have been released as early as Aug. 11.

Ravensdale said her department makes sure offenders who are released early through remission or temporary absence are not a

risk to the public.

"We do our notifications to our law enforcement in the area. If there's a requirement for supervision we obviously notify the office that's going to do the supervision," she said.

Ravensdale couldn't say exactly how many inmates qualify for early release, only that it's fairly common.

"Provided people are participating and behaving themselves we do not take away remission," she said.

In an e-mail to Yellowknifer, Yellowknife RCMP detachment commander Insp. Frank Gallagher said the RCMP is not notified when inmates are released in Yellowknife. He went on to say if an inmate is deemed likely to re-offend, after consultation with the Crown and probation services, the public may be notified. This generally happens when the inmate has a history of violent behaviour.

"If it is believed that a threat exists, a decision will be made as to whether the public should be warned," Gallagher wrote.

During Zoe's sentencing for sexual assault in 2012, his defence lawyer, Tracy Bock, expressed doubt probation would work for him after release.

"I'm concerned that probation has not - is not something that will work for Mr. Zoe," she said.

"I'm not sure how much supervision is available to him, especially because he wants to maintain a traditional lifestyle."

Special conditions are placed on sex offenders in Canada, requiring them to be added to Canada's sex offender registry. Zoe will be on that list for 20 years.

RCMP say the list helps them do their jobs by providing them information on the whereabouts and background of offenders.

In a written statement provided to the courts, Zoe's 2011 victim said she never wanted to see him again.

"I want to be informed when this man is released from jail and I want to know what kind of restrictions will be put on him when he is released," she wrote. "I can almost guarantee that I will leave the territory when he is released, for fear of my own safety."

Zoe had his bail hearing yesterday afternoon for his break and enter charges. He was not released.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.