The warden of the North Slave Correctional Complex (NSCC) is to be subpoenaed to appear in court next Friday to tell a judge what, if any, services can be provided for a repeat sexual offender who has fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
It comes after the NWT’s newest judge Donovan Molloy refused to accept a joint sentencing proposal from the Crown and defence of time served after Gilbert Katigakyok, 25, pleaded guilty to entering a home in Tuktoyaktuk in March of 2017 and sexually assaulting women and children.
Malloy, who was sworn-in last February, wants to hear in court from warden John Nahanni as to what counselling services are available through the NWT Corrections Department for a repeat sexual offender with FASD.
Katigakyok has been in custody since his arrest on another sexual assault charge in April of last year for which he has already been sentenced.
Malloy said he was not comfortable releasing Katigakyok back into the community without at least trying to find a treatment bed for him.
Katigakyok’s lawyer Peter Harte has often expressed his frustration in court about the lack of counselling and treatment services in the NWT Corrections system.
“You better write your MLA because the government has done nothing to deal with this problem,” Harte told the judge.
Harte adds that he has no problem with his client receiving treatment as long as it does not mean more time in custody.
Malloy rejected the time served proposal saying he didn’t want to release the man without treatment, concerned that he could just go back to the community and reoffend putting the safety of Tuk residents at risk.