Hemlock Rapist continues to get unescorted passes from prison
A Calgary man known as the Hemlock Rapist will be able to continue leaving prison on unescorted passes, the Parole Board of Canada has ruled.
Emile Joseph Cromwell, who got his nickname after raping four women in southwest Calgary’s Hemlock Crescent area between 1988 and 1992, is currently serving a 20-year sentence for breaking and entering with intent, sexual assault with a weapon and sexual assault causing bodily harm.
Earlier this year, the Parole Board of Canada granted Cromwell the freedom to visit his wife, unescorted, for up to 72 hours a month, noting that he was at a moderate to low risk of reoffending.
In a written decision, the board authorized the now-72-year-old to continue those unescorted temporary absences.
According to the parole board, Cromwell broke into the homes of his victims after finding their doors unlocked, struck them on the head with a beer bottle to get them to stop screaming, tied their hands and covered their faces with a pillowcase. One of the victims was underage.
The crimes were unsolved until 2004 when he was asked to provide DNA samples. Test results matched DNA gathered from the victims.
The parole board noted that Cromwell was approved for escorted temporary absences to see his family and completed them “without concern.” As a result, he was granted unescorted temporary absences in January, which were renewed this month.
“Renewing the UTAs will give you the opportunity to expand your exposure to the community, continue to re-establish yourself in the family unit and gain credibility for more community access,” the board said in the written decision.
“You are asking to be able to attend grocery stores, banks and run errands with your wife. This is supported by the Correctional Service Canada who indicates you must advise the supervising parole officer every time you plan to be away from the house.”
However, Cromwell must abide by certain conditions, including having no contact with the victims or their family members, no unsupervised contact with people under 18 unless accompanied by a responsible adult approved by his parole supervisor, no pornography, and avoiding places where children are likely to be present.