Hamilton inmate released by accident had one month left to serve

A Hamilton inmate who's on the lam after being improperly released" from the Barton Street jail had a month left to serve on his sentence.

Court records obtained by The Spectator show Shawn Delaney was convicted on multiple offences - including choking, and breaking and entering - on the same day he was mistakenly released from the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre.

Ontario Court Justice Joe Fiorucci sentenced Delaney to 300 days behind bars in connection to 10 charges on March 3. Credit for time-served meant the 45-year-old would remain in jail for 33 more days before beginning a three-year probationary term.

Instead, he was prematurely let go thanks to what Hamilton police called an administrative error" at the Barton jail.

What exactly led to that error remains a mystery.

The Ministry of the Solicitor General was tight-lipped surrounding the specific details that led to the improper release, saying in a statement it takes its responsibility to uphold court orders very seriously."

Correctional officials are responsible for ensuring accurate records are maintained and that inmates are released from correctional facilities only when they are legally entitled to be released from custody as directed by the courts or the Ontario Parole Board," spokesperson Andrew Morrison told The Spec.

If an improper release occurs, the police are notified, and all efforts are made to locate the individual and return them to custody."

Police asked the public for help locating Delaney in a press release March 9 - almost a week after his improper release.

Const. Indy Bharaj said police were notified about the unlawfully at large inmate on March 7, adding the public advisory was issued two days later because officers had exhausted all of their leads.

The ministry, meanwhile, didn't say why it took them four days to contact police.

Police allege that Delaney is aware of the jail's error and is actively evading capture. They consider him a threat to the public.

Court records show Delaney has had several run-ins with the law for violent and non-violent offences over the past two years.

Two of the 10 charges he was convicted on last week were related to the choking, suffocating or strangling of a Hamilton woman in January 2021 and July 2022, according to court documents.

Two others stemmed from a break-and-enter of two local businesses - one on Aberdeen Avenue and another on Burlington Street East - in July 2021 and September 2022.

The remaining six offences were connected to failing to comply with release orders and failing to appear in court.

The ministry said it will conduct an internal investigation into its error, including what caused it and what actions or process changes need to take place to prevent future improper releases."

Police are asking anyone who sees Delaney to call 911, and anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to call 905-546-4925.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or CrimeStoppersHamilton.com.

Sebastian Bron is a reporter at The Spectator. sbron@thespec.com