Ontario: released by mistake, a dangerous inmate is now at large

Hamilton police are looking for an inmate following he was ‘wrongfully released’ a week ago from Barton, Ontario jail.

Police said in a statement Thursday that they were notified on March 7 that Shawn Delaney, 45, had been released on March 3, before serving his full sentence at the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Center, according to “The Hamilton Spectator”.

This misunderstanding is said to be due to an “administrative error”.

Delaney has since been on the loose illegally, well aware of the mistake, and is therefore careful to avoid the police.

Police also said the delay between the detainee’s release and the official announcement was due to a precautionary measure, not wanting to alert the detainee that they were in pursuit.

Delaney had been convicted of “violent and non-violent crimes” and is considered a threat to the public, police told local media.

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