Dianne Brown said Monday that Mary Braun, 67, and Tina Zmaeff, 63, are still too weak to return to their Doukhobor community in West Kootenay.

Parole board regional manager Fraser Simmons said the parole was then granted because "new information was brought forward that would indicate they would no longer be a threat to the community."

Two Sons of Freedom Doukhobor women who ended a 107-day hunger strike earlier this month won't be paroled until their physical condition improves, a corrections official says.

Dianne Brown said Monday that Mary Braun, 67, and Tina Zmaeff, 63, are still too weak to return to their Doukhobor community in West Kootenay.

"The release was subject to medical clearance," Brown said. "They are on a full vegetarian regime and their strength is coming back."

She said Braun is in slightly better condition than Zmaeff and is able to get around in a wheelchair on her own, while Zmaeff "requires more assistance."

The pair was paroled Dec. 2 after having an earlier parole application rejected on the grounds they were still considered "a threat to the community."

But parole board regional manager Fraser Simmons said the parole was then granted because "new information was brought forward that would indicate they would no longer be a threat to the community."

They will have to report to police and parole officials and obtain permission to leave a certain area, he said.