Convicted serial rapist Paul Callow should never have been labelled by authorities as a high risk to reoffend, says his lawyer, UBC law professor Michael Jackson.

People have been staging protests outside the home in Surrey where the man dubbed the "balcony rapist" has been staying with his sister and her family.

UBC law professor Michael Jackson says the fear about his client is "unjustified."
(CBC)

The protests, the latest on Wednesday night, have been fuelled by an earlier police warning when Callow was released from jail, which stated the serial rapist was likely to reoffend.

But Jackson said "the fear that was being generated by his presence is unjustified."

Jackson, one of Canada's most respected law professors who took on Callow's case for free, said he spent months reviewing Callow's treatment in jail.

He said his client completed seven sex offender treatment programs during his 20 years behind bars as well as half a dozen other programs dealing with life skills to help him reintegrate into society and relapse prevention programs.

"The portrayal of him as someone who has refused treatment is completely false. It's not a question of interpretation; it's simply wrong," said Jackson.

Convicted serial rapist Paul Callow, 52, served 20 years in jail, where he took various sex offender prrograms.
(CBC)

The 52-year-old Callow agrees, saying he never refused treatment. "They claim that I refused treatment for the 20 years I was incarcerated. I did not at any time refuse any of the treatment."

While in prison, Callow's risk to society was evaluated as dropping. But there were problems. After 2003, and a failed shot at early release with the National Parole Board, Callow lost hope and refused additional treatment.

Now, after serving his full term, he is bound by 17 release conditions, including reporting to the RCMP and a probation officer, and advising them of any change in residence.

Callow said he is entitled to stay in Surrey. Jackson says he's hoping he can persuade politicians and the public to give Callow a chance to prove he is no longer a threat.