Fort Smith (Feb 09/04) - Less than two months after being sentenced to five years in jail for manslaughter, Shelly Elanik was allowed to leave the women's jail unescorted so she could attend college classes.

In early December, Elanik was sent to jail for her role in the October 2001 beating death of Inuvik hotel clerk Keith Blair.

She's serving her sentence at the Territorial Women's Correctional Centre in Fort Smith.

Her male accomplice, Ronald Sayers, was convicted of second-degree murder.

College and justice department officials refused to confirm that it was Elanik who went unescorted to Aurora College Feb. 2 to register for adult basic education and also to attend two days of preparatory classes.

College spokesperson Tim Gauthier confirmed Friday Corrections withdrew a student from the college on Feb. 6 after concern was expressed by an anonymous community member.

Glen Rutland, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice in Yellowknife, says the college contacted the department with concerns about the inmate.

"The department is working with the college to resolve any concerns they may have," he said.

Gauthier said 10 women from the correctional centre have taken college courses since 1991.

"It's not super common, but it's not unusual."

The college abides by Corrections' assessments on whether inmates are low enough risks to attend college, Gauthier said.

"For us, that's a valid expert opinion," he said.