HAY RIVER - An arrest warrant has been issued for an inmate mistakenly set free three months ago from the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre (SMCC) in Hay River.

Police are searching for Darren Lee Kenny of Deline, who was released in error from the South Mackenzie Correction Centre in Hay River three months ago. - NNSL file photo

The man – who according to police is now unlawfully at large – has been identified as 27-year-old Darren Lee Kenny of Deline.

"He was released by accident on Aug. 18," said Colin Gordon, director of corrections with the Department of Justice.

"We took him to the door and said, 'You're on you're merry way,'" he wryly added.

The accidental release was only discovered on Nov. 5.

Gordon said Kenny was not released into Hay River, although, citing privacy restrictions, he would not identify the community where the prisoner was released.

When an inmate is released, the Department of Justice usually puts the person on a plane or a bus for his or her home community.

Kenny was processed as a standard release, but Gordon said it is unknown how that mistake occurred.

"We have an investigation underway to find out how it happened," he said, adding steps will then be taken to "plug the hole" so it doesn't happen again.

Gordon noted it is such a rare occurrence that no statistics are kept on it.

"Our folks are human, too, and every once in a while a mistake happens," he said.

Kenny was found to be missing after the SMCC was contacted by Fort Smith RCMP.

Sgt. Grant Payne said the detachment was inquiring about travel arrangements to bring Kenny to a trial in Fort Smith.

Kenny was at the SMCC on remand awaiting a Nov. 16 Supreme Court trial on charges of sexual assault and breach of probation.

Payne said the RCMP in Deline confirmed they recently saw Kenny in that community.

However, he said it is believed Kenny is no longer in Deline and police don't know where he might be.

"There's no indication he's in the Fort Smith area," the sergeant noted.

Payne said the Fort Smith RCMP was concerned upon discovering Kenny was no longer is custody, especially for the safety of the person who filed the charges against him.

"We made the (individual) aware of the situation right away," Payne said.

The sexual assault charge is related to an alleged incident in Fort Smith on Oct. 9, 2008.

Payne would not provide further information about the case since the matter is before the courts.

Gordon does not consider Kenny a risk to the general public.

"He certainly wouldn't have been in that facility if that had been the case," the Department of Justice official said, referring to the fact the SMCC is minimum security.

According to a description from the Fort Smith RCMP, Kenny is aboriginal, 183 cm (six feet) tall, weighs 72 kg (159 pounds), and has black hair and brown eyes.