So after the process of getting a publication ban, Graham James has now been granted bail. He’ll be released around Dec. 17.

            Again, the number here is 350. That’s how many times he allegedly abused Sheldon Kennedy and other victims. Not to mention how he went to Spain and coached a young kids’ hockey team then fled to Mexico.

            No one knows whether he continued to torture kids in Spain. And because Mexico has no sex offender registry, we’ll never know if he harmed more kids there.

            The fact that he now gets his freedom also brings back the initial issue- the pardon he was granted in 2007.

            Granted, under the previous pardon system, 99 per cent of pardons requested were granted. But for how high-profile the James case is and for how many kids were abused, the pardon simply never should have happened.

            Stories of injustice like these bring out the anger in people. On a Facebook page called “Convicted Sex Offenders Should NOT Be Pardoned,” people comment and leave their own anecdotes about their experiences.

             “My Ex got bail within five hours of being charged. By the time it goes through the courts he will have been out for three years and molested countless other children. The courts favour the convicted not the victims,” writes one lady.

             Graham James knows what he has done and that is why he turned himself in. The speculation that his lawyer did it as a legal strategy to get bail has proven true too.

             Some legal observers are speculating that because of James’ “history” and that he has already served time, he won’t get as long of a sentence this time.

            Based on his history of harming kids and destroying their childhoods, Graham James should never get the chance to see the light of day again. He has proven over and over that he doesn’t care about how many kids he hurts.

            Releasing James is also re-offending his previous victims in a psychological and emotional way. That on its own should be a crime

            After the news of James’ bail was released, Theo Fleury, another of James’ previous victims, posted on Facebook: "Graham James gets bail? I cannot honestly say I’m not going to sleep better knowing he could soon be free to roam around. If you’re angered by this decision, contact your Member of Parliament and complain."

           James is a typical abuser. He craves the control he lost when Sheldon Kennedy came forward. This whole parade of letting a sex offender free as if he’s done nothing wrong is granting him the control he wants.

            Fleury has the right train of thought though. As people who care about this issue, we have the opportunity to speak through our MPs. I’ve already emailed Lethbridge MP Rick Casson regarding this issue.  

           A lot of Canadians are no doubt wondering why the justice system has released a dangerous, repeat, high-risk offender. It’s hard to pinpoint the reasons why for sure, given that many people know James’ history and know that he is a danger.

           When it all comes down though, it is a risk to release James. A risk for new victims, that he will flee like before and it is a risk that no one in society can afford to even fathom.

Contact information for Rick Casson can be found at: http://www.rickcasson.com/casson/contact.php 

For MPs in other areas visit: http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current&Language=E