A Yellowknife man serving a three-year sentence for his role as the head of a far-reaching drug enterprise that brought large quantities of cocaine into the territory has been granted day parole with overnight leave privileges.
Norman Hache, 37, will move from a minimum security Alberta prison, where he’s been incarcerated since October of last year, to reside in a community correctional centre in another province.
It's not clear where the convicted-drug trafficker will live.
The decision was made by the Parole Board of Canada, an arm’s length government agency that oversees the release or detention of eligible offenders while weighing their risks to public safety, on July 17.
Overnight leaves from the community correctional facility won’t be restricted for Hache, because he has “positive sources of support in the community,” stated the decision.
A spokesperson with the parole board couldn't say how many overnight leaves Hache will be entitled to.
Hache was handed a five-year sentence in August after being convicted of conspiring to traffic cocaine, possessing cocaine and counselling to commit assault.
A sweeping 2016 police probe into high-level drug trafficking in the city and throughout the territory – dubbed Project Green Manalishi, the biggest city drug bust in a decade – led to a series of searches and arrests, with two ounces of cocaine, cash and two rifles being seized at Hache's home.
Hache wasn’t granted bail following his arrest. He spent 501 days in remand custody, leaving three years left to be served when credited for time spent in pre-trial custody.
In Canada, federal offenders serving two years or more can seek day parole – a conditional release that allows inmates to partake in community-based activities during the day before returning to a residential facility at night – six months before their full parole eligibility date, or six months after, which ever is greater.
According to the board’s decision, Hache will remain at the community centre, bound by a number of conditions – he can't drink, consume drugs or associate with drug users or criminals – until his full parole full parole eligibility date.
When that date comes for Hache – after he's served one-third of his sentence – he'll be granted full parole as well, the board decided.
That means he’ll be able to serve the remainder of his sentence in the community and out of a facility – but he’ll be supervised and will be subject to several conditions. He must disclose his finances, cannot own more than one cell phone and must report personal relationships to supervisors.
While the Correctional Services of Canada recommended Hache get day parole, they recommended a denial of full parole.
Offenders released on full parole are not required to reside overnight at a residential correctional centre, and Hache intends to secure his own residence once on full parole.
He also plans to pursue an education – a goal board members focused on in considering Hache's parole.
“You have presented the board with a realistic and attainable plan that involves schooling where you have been accepted, have finances in place as well as accommodations and this is dependent on your ability to be in the community by the end of August, 2018,” stated the decision.
With Hache making life “changes” and “gains” while incarcerated – including obtaining his GED and expressing a desire to stay away from drugs and crime – the offender showed promising potential to reintegrate into society, stated the decision.
“Your motivation level and reintegration potential are assessed as high and you are considered engaged in your correctional plan,” the decision read.
Hache has also expressed plans to re-connect with his young son, who was born while the ex-drug boss was behind bars.
According to the board's decision, Hache underwent tests that showed he was unlikely to commit an indictable offence within three years of his release.
The decision also details the support Hache, a former business owner in Yellowknife, has received from his mother and girlfriend – and from the community.
Hache's mother spoke on his behalf, telling board members she began to “see a change” in Hache when he started working with a counsellor, which improved his communication skills and allowed him to focus on his goals.
Hache's mother supported her son's release plan, saying the friends at his release destination were “stellar.”
Hache's parole officer advised he had “done everything possible to better (himself) and prepare for release.”
When Hache first entered prison, evaluations concluded factors in his personal life, including emotional aspects and who he associated with in the community, were in high need of improvement. An updated assessment in 2018 showed those factors are now in need of moderate improvement.
But Hache's troubled past and struggles with addiction remain a concern for the board members, who noted the offender began using, and then selling, cocaine after a long-term relationship ended.
Hache's “broken” background, marked by abuse, addiction and homelessness, is also outlined.
He was kicked out of his father's house in his teens after associating with a bad crowd, and resorted to sleeping on the street.
Due to his struggles with addiction, Hache will still be barred from drinking or consuming drugs once on full parole. He must be employed or pursue gainful employment when he's conditionally released on full parole.
“It is the board's opinion that (Hache's) release on both day and then full parole will assist in (his) reintegration into society while being monitored and supervised for the protection of society.”
Hache was one of 28 people arrested and charged as part of the RCMP-led investigation, Project Green Manalishi, that saw police seize drugs, guns and cash.
During his trial, a remorseful Hache said his actions helped to “destroy” the vulnerable community he belonged to.
While a media spokesperson told Yellowknifer Hache's day parole will take effect immediately, his arrival at a residential correctional facility hinges on the availability of beds at the centre.
FACT FILE
Excerpts from parole board documents:
“You grew up in a Christian home and in your teens began associating with negative peers and this resulted in your being kicked out of the home and left homeless. You confirm that you spent two years sleeping in stairwells as a result “
“Your name was on the front page of the newspaper in a small town where everyone knows you. This was a sobering thought for you as this did affect your family directly. You indicate that since you were arrested, you have not had any contact with prior negative associates and learned that they were not there for you.”
“You tried to have a business renovating homes which did not pan out as you lost the business and moved to the territories where you took loans from negative associates to start a business. lt was not long before the business was no longer viable and began drug trafficking. You indicated that this started small and as people were arrested who were in the same lifestyle, you became busier and this grew quickly. You advise that you had been assaulted twice as you were unable to pay your loans. You ended up losing everything as a result and your substance use was worse. “
“You have since learned that short cuts in life do not work. You told the Board you are ready for full parole and are afraid that, if you were not to get into a CRF prior to the end of August, you would lose the opportunity to attend school this year. Your plan now is to also bond with your son and continue re-establishing contact with other family members. You describe your plans as concrete with boundaries set and you know where you are headed.
“Your mom spoke on your behalf. She advised that she began to see change when you were working with a counsellor. You were able to communicate better about the things you cared about and were focused on your goals.”
“The Board noted that you began to make changes in your life while you were in remand and this continued into your incarceration. There is no history of breaching your conditions in the past and the Board also places weight on the fact that you did have a significant crime free period when you had stability and positive supports in the community.”
– Source: Parole Board of Canada