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Earlier in the day, the court heard from Robin Hissink, an institutional parole officer who has supervised Tallio in prison for the last 18 months, monitoring his daily routine, behaviour and disposition.

Hissink said Tallio had adapted well to his minimum security surroundings. He didn’t present behavioural or security concerns, and had successfully completed many escorted temporary absences. Tallio goes to bed at the same time every night, gets up between 6:30 and 7 every morning, and goes to work every day, she said. When he’s home at night he makes dinner in his living unit.

“Mr. Tallio is both enthusiastic and motivated in terms of potential release. He is engaged,” she said.

Hissink said she had planned to support Tallio for day parole release before his parole application process was halted by his bail application. During a typical day parole, an offender would have a structured routine in a halfway house. That might include daily activities including work or other responsibilities. Their whereabouts would be accounted for and they would be required to report to their parole officer at or outside the house, she said.

Hissink said she believed the hypothetical bail conditions that had been discussed by counsel resembled those of day parole, and with the right support, she thought Tallio would do well outside prison.

Staff at the supportive home described the setting Tallio would be released into. The home that would take him has one other resident now, but could house up to six people. There is a staff member at the home every day and they are on-call during evenings. Staff perform urine tests and room searches and are involved with “all aspects” of the lives of residents. Residents on parole are visited at the home by police and sometimes staff members during random checks.

Tallio has been in prison for more than 36 years for the murder of 22-month-old Delavina Mack near Bella Coola. He maintains he is innocent of the crime.

Sarah Rauch, a lawyer for the mother of Mack, said family members of the victim are fearful, not only that they might have contact with Tallio if he is granted bail, but also that Tallio could be in the presence of children, including his own grandchildren.

A decision in the matter is expected Friday.

mrobinson@postmedia.com