Robert Latimer is seen here on Mar. 15, 2008, when he was issued a four-day unescorted absence by the National Parole Board to visit a sick friend or relative and returned to his farm in Wilkie. (Geoff Howe/CP)

Robert Latimer is getting an extended leave from his halfway house in British Columbia, but not without a chiding from the national parole board.

Latimer, 56, is the Saskatchewan man convicted of second-degree murder for killing his severely disabled daughter.

Parole board documents, dated Dec. 4 and released to media outlets Wednesday, show Latimer has approval for an extended leave.

The exact dates and location were not released.

However, the materials show that his supervisors in the Correctional Service of Canada, supported his being away from Dec. 24, 2009, to Jan. 7, 2010.

The parole board said it had no concerns about Latimer being in the community.

"Your file indicates that you remain co-operative and compliant with supervision and maintain a positive attitude," the panel of two parole board members wrote. "All extended leaves to date have been completed without incident with one recent exception."

The board then detailed how Latimer had returned from a leave in October and did not check in properly.

Latimer explained the he mistakenly believed he was on a weekend pass and could be at his apartment, rather than the halfway house.

His explanation was found to be acceptable, although Latimer was told to be more careful.

"[G]iven the extent to which you have benefited from extended leaves on your day parole, it is troubling that you would not be more diligent in understanding the exact terms of your most recent extended leave."

His request for leave, nevertheless, was approved. Latimer was told to report to his supervisor prior to curfew and upon his return to B.C.

Latimer's case went through a protracted legal process and continues to generate significant debate over the issues of mercy killing and the rights of the disabled.

He began serving time in prison in 2001 after the courts upheld his conviction and sentence of life with no parole for 10 years.

Latimer won permission for day parole in 2008.

While details on his exact circumstances have never been released by the parole board, it has been widely reported that he is currently living in B.C., where he is studying to become an electrician. He also maintains strong ties with the family farm in the Wilkie, Sask., area.

With files from The Canadian Press