KENTVILLE, N.S. — The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) has imposed special conditions on the statutory release of a North Kentville man sentenced in 2015 for sex crimes involving children.
Jason Troy Pitts, 43, pleaded guilty in October 2014 to charges of making, possessing and accessing child pornography and to eight counts of conspiring to commit sexual assault on a child.
At sentencing, the court heard that Pitts was involved in an online web streaming organization where he was communicating with individuals in the Philippines. Pitts was having children perform sexual acts with other children or with women for money.
There were five or six live shows and, in two instances, Pitts recorded these on his computer. Pitts had a collection of child porn images and videos aside from the recordings of the live shows. Police reported more than 50 money transfers between Pitts and his contacts abroad between January 2011 and April 2012.
Pitts was sentenced on Feb. 4, 2015, to five years on the conspiracy charges and two years for making, possessing and accessing child porn.
The PBC states in a written decision about the imposition of special release conditions that Pitts has a history of severe developmental trauma and childhood deprivation. He has been diagnosed with paedophilic disorder. The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) notes that it has had concerns regarding Pitts’s mental health with respect to suicidal ideation and self-harm.
The board notes that Pitts has participated in core correctional programming to address his sexual offending behaviour. However, the gains he made were limited and his ability to self-regulate his sexual urges in the community remains untested.
“The board notes that the most recent psychological assessment indicates that you (Pitts) are a well above average risk to re-offend sexually,” the written decision states.
The CSC believes that Pitts requires a gradual, structured release plan to manage his risk and assist him with his reintegration into the community. As part of his release plan, Pitts has indicated that he wants to find full-time work. He does not have a confirmed residence.
Pitts has advised that he would be willing to reside at a community based residential facility (CBRF) on a voluntary basis until he can find an appropriate place to live. The CSC advises that local CBRF’s are not willing to provide Pitts with accommodations on a voluntary basis.
The CSC also advises that Pitts has not identified any community of family support in the area. However, in his correctional plan, he claims to have the support of Circle of Support and Accountability, a restorative community safety program.
In Pitts’s assessment for decision, the CSC noted concerns regarding the amount of time and energy Pitts expended to reach his objective of victimizing children; the lack of deterrence instilled by incarceration, conditions, treatment and actuarial measures.
The CSC believes that residency will provide Pitts with extra support and supervision to assist in addressing his high-risk areas and increase his chance for successful reintegration.
“Should residency not be imposed by the board, CSC notes that you (Pitts) will be required to reside at a shelter until you can secure more stable independent accommodations,” the written decision states.
While in the community, the CSC expects Pitts to participate in a sex offender community maintenance Program and individual counselling. A referral to a community mental health team may be made.
The CSC is not recommending leave privileges, as Pitts does not have confirmed community support or accommodations.
Statutory release is a release by law, not a decision made by the PBC. Offenders on statutory release must follow standard conditions. Special conditions may also be imposed. They must report to a parole officer on a regular basis and can be returned to prison if it is believed that they present an undue risk to the public.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS IMPOSED
The Parole Board of Canada has imposed the following special conditions on the statutory release of Jason Troy Pitts:
- Pitts must follow a treatment plan as arranged by his parole supervisor in the area of mental health and sexual deviancy.
- Pitts is to immediately report all intimate sexual and non-sexual relationships and friendships with females and males who have parental responsibility for children under the age of 16 years to his parole supervisor.
- Pitts is not to be in the presence of any children under the age of 18 years unless authorized by his parole supervisor and unless he is accompanied by a responsible adult who knows his criminal history and who has previously been approved in writing by his parole supervisor.
- Pitts is to reside at a community correctional centre or a community based residential facility – such as a private home placement – approved by the Correctional Service of Canada until his warrant expiry date.
- Pitts is not to purchase, acquire, possess or access pornography or sexually explicit materials in any form or type of media.
- Pitts is not to own, use or possess a computer as defined by the Criminal Code or any technological device, including a cell phone, that would allow him unsupervised access to the internet.
- Pitts is not to frequent establishments that provide public access to computers that access the internet. This includes public libraries, internet cafes and bars, community recreation centres, hotels, computer stores and any other establishment that provides this service.
- Pitts is not to be in, near or around places where children under the age of 18 years are likely to congregate, such as elementary and secondary schools, parks, swimming pools and recreational centres.
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