Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v Barnes [2022] QSC 177
SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND
CITATION: Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v Barnes
[2022] QSC 177
PARTIES: ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF
QUEENSLAND
(applicant)
v
LIAM DERRICK BARNES
(respondent)
FILE NO/S: BS 911 of 2022
DIVISION: Trial Division
PROCEEDING: Application
ORIGINATING
COURT: Supreme Court at Brisbane
DELIVERED ON: 2 September 2022
DELIVERED AT: Brisbane
HEARING DATE: 15 August 2022
JUDGE: Cooper J
ORDER: Order that the respondent’s release from custody be
subject to the requirements set out in the Schedule to
these reasons until 21 July 2029
CATCHWORDS: CRIMINAL LAW – SENTENCE – SENTENCING ORDERS
– ORDERS AND DECLARATIONS RELATING TO
SERIOUS OR VIOLENT OFFENDERS OR DANGEROUS
SEXUAL OFFENDERS – DANGEROUS SEXUAL
OFFENDER – GENERALLY – where the respondent was
released from prison subject to an interim supervision order –
where the Attorney-General applies for final orders under the
Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) –
where the respondent was convicted and sentenced for sexual
offending against three children including his infant biological
daughter over an eight year period – where the respondent
participated in programs in prison addressing substance abuse
and sexual offending and since release from prison has
commenced treatment with a psychologist – where expert
evidence describes the respondent’s risk of further offending
as ranging from high without a supervision order to low with a
supervision order – where experts recommend the respondent
be released to supervision for a period of between longer than
five years and ten years – whether there is an unacceptable risk
that the respondent will commit a serious sexual offence if
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released from custody without a supervision order being made
– whether a supervision order should be made
Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld), s 3,
s 5, s 9A(2)(a), s 11, s 13, s 16, Schedule 1
Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v KAH [2019]
3 Qd R 329; [2019] QSC 36, cited
COUNSEL: B Mumford for the applicant
E Cooper for the respondent
SOLICITORS: Crown Solicitor for the applicant
Cridland & Hua Lawyers for the respondent
Application
[1] On 21 January 2022, the Attorney-General filed an application seeking an order under
section 13(5) in Division 3 of Part 2 of the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders)
Act 2003 (Qld) (“the Act”), such an order being referred to in the Act as a “division
3 order”.
[2] The respondent’s full time release date from prison was 22 July 2022.
[3] On 14 July 2022, pursuant to s 9A(2)(a) of the Act, Boddice J ordered that the
respondent be released on an interim supervision order pending the final hearing of
the application on 15 August 2022.
[4] The final hearing of the application proceeded before me on 15 August 2022.
[5] Section 13 applies if the court is satisfied that “the prisoner is a serious danger to the
community in the absence of a division 3 order”.1
[6] A prisoner will be regarded as a serious danger to the community if there is an
unacceptable risk that the prisoner will commit a serious sexual offence if released
from custody or if released from custody without a supervision order being made.2
[7] The term “prisoner” is defined to include a person serving a period of imprisonment
for a serious sexual offence.3
[8] A “serious sexual offence” is defined to include an offence of a sexual nature against
a child.4
[9] In deciding whether a prisoner is a serious danger to the community in the absence of
a division 3 order the court must have regard to a number of matters prescribed by
the Act,5 and it may reach that conclusion only if satisfied, by acceptable cogent
evidence and to a high degree of probability, that the evidence is of sufficient weight
1 Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) s 13(1).
2 Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) s 13(2).
3 Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) s 5(6).
4 Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) sch 1.
5 Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) s 13(4).
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to justify the decision.6 The Attorney-General has the onus of proving that the
prisoner is a serious danger to the community.7
[10] If the court is satisfied that a prisoner is a serious danger to the community in the
absence of a division 3 order, a discretion is enlivened under s 13(5) of the Act to
order that the prisoner be:
(a) detained in custody for an indefinite term for control, care or treatment
(“continuing detention order”); or
(b) released from custody subject to the requirements the court considers
appropriate (“supervision order”).
[11] In deciding how to exercise the discretion conferred by s 13(5) the paramount
consideration for the court is the need to ensure adequate protection of the
community.8 This reflects the objects of the Act.9
History
[12] The respondent was born on 9 August 1990. He grew up in a strict and religious
household, with his parents and three siblings. He attended church regularly but was
rejected by the church community following the charges for the first sexual offences
in 2015 (addressed below), and his failure to admit any wrongdoing.
[13] The respondent has reported that he was sexually abused as a child.
[14] The respondent has been in three significant relationships throughout his adulthood
and reported that two of these relationships were marked by toxic and volatile
behaviours.
[15] The respondent completed Year 12 and has been employed continuously when in the
community. He completed a Certificate 3 in Warehouse distribution at a TAFE and
has worked in various construction and building supply businesses.
Sexual offending
[16] On 22 April 2015, the respondent was convicted and sentenced in the Townsville
District Court for sexual offending against the eight-year-old daughter of one of his
friends. The respondent was initially tried on a charge of rape but ultimately acquitted
on that charge and found guilty of the statutory alternative charge of indecent
treatment of a child under 16, under 12.
[17] The offending occurred on 28 March 2012, when the respondent was staying
overnight at the home of the victim’s parents. The respondent was sleeping in the
bedroom of the victim and she had moved to her siblings’ room. During the night, the
respondent took the victim to her bedroom and touched her genital area, but outside
of the vulva or vagina. Over a short period of time, the respondent touched the victim
three times.
6 Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) s 13(3).
7 Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) s 13(7).
8 Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) s 13(6)(a).
9 Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) s 3(a).
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[18] The victim’s father got up during the night and heard a moan, which he thought was
his daughter. The father saw the victim run past his room from the direction of her
room which the respondent was using. The victim disclosed to her father that the
respondent had touched her private parts.
[19] The respondent initially denied any wrongdoing to the victim’s father but then later
said he had touched the victim two or three times during ‘playing around’ and didn’t
mean for it to go as far as it did. In a subsequent interview with police, the respondent
denied the offending and said he only admitted the offending because he wanted the
victim’s father to stop harassing him. During the trial, the respondent gave evidence
that he was pushed into confessing to the offending by a senior member of his
church, and also accused the victim’s father of offering to take $10,000 to make
the prosecution ‘go away’.
[20] The respondent was sentenced to a period of nine months’ imprisonment. It was
ordered that the term of imprisonment be suspended after serving a period of four
and half month’s imprisonment, for an operational period of two years.
[21] On 23 December 2016, the respondent was convicted and sentenced in the
Brisbane District Court upon his guilty plea to the offence of indecent treatment
of a child under 12 years who was his lineal descendent and the further offence of
possessing child exploitation material.
[22] The offences were committed in breach of the suspended sentence imposed on 22
April 2015. The respondent was alleged to have committed the indecent
treatment offence very shortly after his release from custody on the suspended
sentence imposed on 22 April 2015. It was alleged that he possessed the child
exploitation material between 17 November 2015 and 19 March 2016.
[23] Police had received images depicting an infant female child as part of another
operation. These images were traced to the respondent’s address. On 18 March
2016, police executed a search warrant at the respondent’s residence, and they
found his phone which contained photographs of his biological daughter, who
was about three months old at the time, with her vagina and anus exposed in a
sexualised fashion. In some of the images, an adult male penis, presumably
the respondent’s penis, was placed next to the child’s vagina and anus. Metadata
indicated that the photographs had been taken before 18 November 2015.
[24] For the indecent treatment offence, the respondent was sentenced to a period of two
years imprisonment, suspended after serving 279 days, for an operational period of
three years. The respondent received a period of probation for the possession of child
exploitation material. In respect of the suspended sentence, a finding was made that
the respondent had been convicted of an indictable offence punishable by a period of
imprisonment during the operational period of the suspended sentence. It was ordered
that the operational period be extended by a period of six months.
[25] On 12 November 2020, the respondent was convicted and sentenced upon his guilty
plea in the Bundaberg District Court for offending including the indecent treatment
and attempted indecent treatment of an 11-year-old male child, who was a friend of
the respondent’s partner’s son.
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[26] On or about 3 January 2020, the victim was attending a sleepover at the residence of
the respondent’s partner where the respondent was present. The respondent was
playing video games with the victim. He asked the victim to come over and sit next
to him on the couch. The victim did so. The respondent then guided the victim’s head
to his bare chest and began massaging the victim’s shoulders and down the victim’s
body, eventually massaging the base of the victim's penis over his clothes for about
5 seconds. The victim asked the respondent to stop and he did. The attempted
indecent treatment involved the respondent massaging the victim’s shoulders again.
The respondent’s hands moved down the victim’s body; however, the respondent got
only to the victim’s waist before he said that he needed to go to the toilet, so he left.
[27] For the indecent treatment offence, the respondent was sentenced to a period of two
years and six months imprisonment. He received a lesser term of imprisonment, in
the order of 12 months imprisonment for the attempted indecent treatment.
[28] When he was sentenced on 23 December 2016 and on 12 November 2020, the
respondent also pleaded guilty to numerous summary charges of failing to comply
with the Child Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2004 (Qld) (“CPOR”). These
summary offences concerned failures to declare contact with children and failing
to report social media use.
[29] At the time the Attorney-General filed the application for a division 3 order, the
respondent was serving his third custodial term for sexual offences committed against
children. On that basis, when the application was filed the respondent was serving a
period of imprisonment for a serious sexual offence and was a prisoner for the
purposes of s 13 of the Act.
Events in prison
[30] In terms of substance abuse programs, the respondent completed the Low Intensity
Substance Intervention Program (“LISI”) on 9 July 2020 and the Substance Abuse
Maintenance Intervention Program (“SAMI”) between 24 November 2020 and 17
December 2020. His engagement in the SAMI was considered to be of a high
standard, and he was able to identify pro-social goals and his personal triggers.
[31] Between 15 March 2021 and 28 April 2021, the respondent participated in the Getting
Started: Preparatory Program for Sexual Offending (“GSPP”) at Wolston
Correctional Centre.
[32] In a report detailing the respondent’s participation in the GSPP, program facilitators
considered that he demonstrated limited insight into his offending behaviour, and
only accepted limited responsibility for his offending. It was observed that the
respondent had a tendency to externalise blame onto others, particularly his ex-
partner, and presented with inconsistent information when compared to official
records. Nevertheless, the facilitators considered that the respondent could
demonstrate some empathy for his victim, a commitment to change and a willingness
to participate in future programs. Ultimately, the facilitators recommended that the
respondent participate in a Stable-2007 assessment and undergo a High Intensity
Sexual Offending Program (“HISOP”).
[33] On 28 May 2021, the respondent was interviewed regarding his willingness to
undertake the HISOP. He expressed motivation to participate and accepted an offer
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for placement on the program. The respondent commenced that program on 8 June
2021 and completed it on 18 July 2022. In undertaking the HISOP, the respondent
completed 342 hours of treatment, which included both group treatment and
individual treatment.
[34] The completion report for the HISOP records the level and quality of the respondent’s
participation in that program as being “Excellent” in all respects. More detail of the
respondent’s approach to the HISOP was set out in the body of the completion report:
“Prisoner Barnes is considered motivated to engage in behavioural
change which has been evidenced through his participation in the
program. The prisoner has demonstrated his ability to use alternative
healthy coping strategies which includes seeking support when
required, expressing his emotions to others, thought challenging and
core belief challenging, using positive affirmations, exercising and
being able to sit within difficult emotions until they pass. Prisoner
Barnes recognised the need to work on his assertive communication,
whereby he recognised being a passive communicator historically and
avoidant of conflict; he was able to see the benefit in addressing issues
when they arise and demonstrated insight into this leading to bottling
emotions if he were to avoid it. Prisoner Barnes has been observed to
communicate assertively through his program participation and has
practiced this skill with the use of role plays. He has also
demonstrated this with custodial staff and program facilitators,
whereby he has been observed to reach out for support when required.
He is encouraged to continue practising these skills for them to
become entrenched.”
[35] The final section of the completion report, which addressed the effect of the
intervention and recommendations, contained the following relevant statements:
“Prisoner Barnes demonstrated motivation to reintegrate safely and
responsibly into the community environment and has developed a
realistic and achievable New Future Plan to support this. The prisoner
demonstrated insight into the likely supervision conditions and
demonstrated a willingness to develop a professional relationship with
his supervision officer/s. Prisoner Barnes has three episodes of sexual
offending behaviour. It is noted that he maintains his innocence in
relation to the offences he was convicted of in 2015 (committed in
2012) against an eight-year-old female. Prisoner Barnes takes
responsibility for the sexual offences he was sentenced for in 2016
against his biological daughter and 2020 against an 11-year-old male.
Prisoner Barnes demonstrated a sound understanding of his high-risk
factors and these were relevant to his offending pathway. The prisoner
identified low self-esteem (putting other’s needs first), lack of
intimacy (power and control), poor emotional management (avoidance
coping), sex as coping, poor problem solving (distorted thinking) and
hostility toward women (mistrust) as relevant high-risk factors to his
offending. In terms of a pathway to offending, prisoner Barnes
remained firm that his behaviour in both instances was a function of
attempting to leave relationships due to his perception he had nil other
avenues to do this.
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During his time in the program, prisoner Barnes identified appropriate
risk mitigation strategies to manage himself following release. The
prisoner discussed intentions of thought challenging and reaching out
to his support people if he should struggle with emotional management
and avoidance coping, further, he reported attending regular
appointments with his psychologist and/or GP if he feels as though he
is using sex to cope. Prisoner Barnes acknowledged that his need for
power and control over circumstances in his life requires ongoing
challenging, in which, he acknowledged recent behaviours within
custody to manage himself when struggling to regulate his emotions,
in particular, feelings such as entitlement, distrust, frustration, anger,
hatred, victimisation, used, misunderstood and annoyed. The prisoner
demonstrated insight into having manipulated situations to gain
control and to achieve the outcome he desired. The prisoner reported
the importance of consequential thinking and utilising a vision board
to hold him accountable in achieving his goals. Further to this, the
prisoner noted he wants to ensure his supports are aware of these
behaviours so he can discuss them when needed.
Prisoner Barnes is considered to have made shifts regarding his
identified treatment needs including significant social influences,
capacity for relationship stability, hostility towards women, general
social rejection/loneliness, lack of concern for other, impulsive acts,
poor problem solving, negative emotionality, sex drive/preoccupation,
sex as coping, deviant sexual preference and co-operation with
supervision. It is considered he lacked insight into the treatment need
pertaining to emotional identification to children and deviant sexual
interest. Given he has not yet had the opportunity to utilise these skills
in the community, it is considered these treatment needs remain
outstanding. He is encouraged to continue implementing the skills and
strategies he has learnt within the program in order to continue
working on the aforementioned treatment needs and he is encouraged
to seek professional support to assist him in doing so.”
[36] As to the outstanding treatment needs referred to in the final paragraph of the extract
above, the completion report earlier stated:
“… In terms of deviant interests regarding children, the prisoner
denied having a sexual attraction to children, though acknowledges
seeking sexual gratification from his second episode of offending. It
is noted the prisoner experienced significant shame/guilt around
acknowledging this and discussed attributing this to not wanting to be
labelled as having an attraction to children. At this time, it is
considered this treatment need remains outstanding, given the prisoner
lacks insight around his motivations for offending, particularly in
relation to his first episode of offending. It is recommended he seek
further psychological intervention in the community to continue
exploring and addressing this treatment need as required.
… Prisoner Barnes demonstrated an emerging understanding of his
treatment need pertaining to emotional identification with children. In
which, the prisoner denied this as being applicable to him, however,
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throughout the program identified as connecting with his third victim
of offending whereby he felt validated by the victim and as though he
was a role model to him. However, through exploration it appears that
this connection was more about meeting his needs, whereby if he felt
powerless/lacked control, he could seek this through the victims. As
a result, it is considered the prisoner has developed insight into the
relevance of the treatment needs of sexual preoccupation and
emotional identification with children, though would benefit from
ongoing support in managing this risk moving forward.”
Treatment since release
[37] Since his release, and pursuant to the terms of the interim supervision order made on
14 July 2022, the respondent has commenced treatment with a psychologist, Dr
Michelle Andrews.
Psychiatric evidence
[38] Dr Kenneth Arthur prepared a report dated 23 August 2021 for the purpose of a risk
assessment in relation to a potential application under the Act. In that report, Dr
Arthur diagnosed the respondent with:
(a) Paedophilia, non exclusive;
(b) a Substance Misuse Disorder, crystal methamphetamine, currently in remission
in a controlled environment; and
(c) an Avoidant Personality Disorder represented by the respondent’s pervasive
pattern of social inhibition/inadequacy and hypersensitivity to negative
evaluation associated with maladaptive coping strategies.
[39] Dr Arthur also recorded that, on the respondent’s self-report, he would fulfil the
criteria for chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder secondary to childhood
trauma.
[40] On the question of the risk of further offending, Dr Arthur reported as follows:10
“RISK STATEMENT
Propensity to reoffend
Utilising the Static-99R, prisoner Barnes fell in the ‘well above
average risk’ group when compared to the reference population of
North American incarcerated sex offenders. There are a number of
relevant dynamic risk factors as identified on the RSVP. His sexual
violence is characterised by chronicity and diversity. His offending
occurred over a period of 8 years, suggestive of enduring risk. The
diversity of his offences makes it difficult to identify specific victim
population. Whilst he has not used physical coercion, the two older
child victims were known to him and raise the possibility of
psychological coercion. He continues to deny any deviant sexual
10 The risk statement in Dr Arthur’s report was presented in the form of a table.
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interest in children and claims his innocence for the 2012 indecent
dealing charge. There are ongoing issues with self-awareness and
historically he has utilised maladaptive, avoidant coping strategies to
deal with interpersonal problems and emotional distress. Based on his
offences, there is a strong likelihood that he harbours a deviant sexual
interest in children. There is a history of substance abuse which was
associated with his second sexual offence. Prisoner Barnes has
longstanding problems with intimate relationships which he claimed
led to the later sexual offences. The fact that he reoffended twice
whilst on a suspended sentence and following specialist psychological
therapy raises concerns about his manageability in the community.
Pattern of offending
It is difficult to identify a clear pattern of offending based on the
variable victim profile. Certainly, for the second and third offences,
there is an association with his involvement in an unsatisfactory
relationship. In regard to the victims, there were two female and one
male. One was his biological daughter, the other two were
prepubescent children known to him. The second and third offences
were perpetrated against children in his care.
Attempt to change
Prisoner Barnes has availed himself of a number of treatment
programs. He engaged in individual therapy and a parenting course
whilst in the community, completed substance abuse courses in jail
and is currently engaged in the HISOP.
Effects of treatment programs
The available exit reports suggest that prisoner Barnes engages well
in treatment and is an active participant. At interview he displayed a
limited retention of information from programs thus far. Whilst he
claimed to have changed in his attitudes towards women and
developed better self- awareness, he continues to engage in the
projection of blame and portraying himself as the victim.
…
Prisoner Barnes grew up in a family where his father and brother were
both angry and unpredictable individuals. It is likely that his mother
also utilised avoidant and possibly passive-aggressive ways of coping
with this. He wished to please his parents and became fearful of
negative evaluation. His exposure to childhood sexual abuse increased
his sense of fear and perhaps anger, but also reinforced his submissive
tendencies within relationships. As an adult he developed avoidant
coping mechanisms to manage feelings of inadequacy and mistrust,
which included the abuse of drugs and alcohol. The trigger for his
initial sexual offence is unclear. It is possible that this was his first
expression of a deviant sexual interest in children associated with
disturbed patterns of sexual arousal related to his own childhood
sexual abuse, or alternatively driven by an urge to re-enact the abuse
as a form of mastery. It is also possible that prisoner Barnes found
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children a safer target of his sexual desires based on his feelings of
inadequacy around same-age peers. The subsequent rejection by the
church may have led to his own defensive rejection of those values,
escalating his use of substances and intensifying his sensitivity to
negative evaluation and rejection. In this context, his choice of sexual
partners served both as a form of self-punishment but also as a
passive-aggressive rejection of the values held by the people who
abandoned him. His offending against his infant daughter can be
understood as a passive-aggressive expression of anger and hostility
towards his partner and/or a further acting out of his evolving sexual
interest in children exacerbated by the disinhibiting effects of
methamphetamine. Further criminal charges acted to reinforce his
sense of failure and rejection such that even after separating from an
abusive relationship, he readily entered into another with very similar
features. The index offences again occurred in the context of feeling
disempowered, dominated and abused by his partner, possibly
representing a passive- aggressive expression of anger and frustration
as well as satisfying his deviant sexual interests. Given the age of the
index victim, it is possible that prisoner Barnes identified with this
child as he was also sexually abused around that age.
The most relevant risk factors for sexual recidivism include a deviant
sexual interest in children, engaging in dysfunctional intimate
relationships, his personality dysfunction relating to the use of
avoidant/passive-aggressive coping strategies and substance abuse.
Were prisoner Barnes to reoffend, it would likely be against
prepubescent children of either sex with whom he is already familiar
with. His prior offences appear opportunistic although grooming
cannot be ruled out; potential victims will most likely be under his
care. Further offending will be driven by his deviant sexual interest
and the use of sex to cope with feelings of anger, rejection and perhaps
retribution in the context of engaging in further disturbed
relationships. The offending will most likely consist of inappropriate
touching; it may persist or escalate if the child does not actively resist.
The risk of physical harm is low but any future offending is likely to
be associated with significant psychological distress for the victim.
It is unlikely that prisoner Barnes will reoffend soon after release. The
risk of reoffending will be acutely intensified should he return to
substance use, particularly crystal methamphetamine. Indicators of
increasing risk of sexual recidivism would include his involvement in
conflictual or abusive intimate relationships, ready access to
prepubescent children of either sex and a return to substance abuse.
Factors likely to moderate the risk of recidivism include maintaining
professional and personal supports, maintaining abstinence and
avoidance of abusive relationships.
Based on structured clinical judgment, I would estimate his risk of
sexual recidivism to be moderately high.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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A supervision order would reduce the risk of recidivism from
moderately high to low.
This would predominantly be via the mechanisms of reducing victim
access, ensuring he remains abstinent from drugs of abuse, the
provision of high quality offence-specific psychological interventions
and the close curation of both intimate and non-intimate relationships.
The exit report from the HISOP will no doubt provide very important
information relating to prisoner Barnes’ progress during the program,
particularly any shifts in his understanding/attitudes and whether he
develops further insight into the drivers for his sexual offending, as
well as his capacity to formulate an effective relapse management
plan. Given his relatively young age, chronicity of offending against
children and his current stance of denial in regard to deviant sexual
interests, I believe that a supervision order longer than 5 years would
be required to effectively manage his risk to the community.”
[41] On 6 June 2022, Dr Arthur prepared a supplementary report. In preparing that report,
Dr Arthur had regard to information concerning the respondent’s participation in the
HISOP up to 20 May 2022 as well as reports prepared by Dr Sundin and Dr Beech
(addressed below).
[42] In his supplemental report, Dr Arthur expressed the following opinions:
“It is gratifying that prisoner Barnes now appears to be acknowledging
some degree of sexual motivation for the offences, but concerning that
he does not see an attraction to children as relevant for him and still
appears to be minimising his deviant sexual interest. It is also
concerning that the convenors have highlighted pervasive anti-system
attitudes which, in the context of his prior failure to conform with
ANCOR reporting requirements, has implications for his cooperation
and supervision.
Without reviewing the HISOP exit report (which would include
prisoner Barnes’ relapse prevention plan), it is difficult to comment on
the effects of this program on his risk of recidivism when released.
I remain of the opinion that the most relevant risk factors for
recidivism include a deviant sexual interest in children (which is not
addressed in the HISOP), engaging in future dysfunctional
relationships, his longstanding personality dysfunction relating to the
use of avoidant/passive aggressive coping strategies and a return to
substance abuse.
I believe that all of these risk factors will require long term
psychological interventions to address. Given his high Static-99R
score, the presence of sexual deviancy and his relatively young age, I
believe that despite treatment his risk of reoffending will persist for
some time. A recent paper by Hanson et al estimated that an offender
with a Static-99R score of 7 will require between 11-17 years offence-
free in the community before dropping to the median risk category,
and 17+ years offence-free in the community before transitioning into
the below average category.
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Even accounting for treatment effects and the (relatively) low severity
of his offending, I believe that a 10 year supervision order would be
indicated to effectively manage prisoner Barnes’ risk.”
[43] On 20 July 2022, after he had been provided with a copy of the respondent’s HISOP
completion report, Dr Arthur prepared a further supplementary report in which he
expressed the following opinions:
“I remain concerned that he still does not wish to recognise an
attraction to children and is minimising his deviant sexual interests.
After reviewing his relapse prevention plan, I believe he will require
significant ongoing psychological support to maintain and implement
the cognitive and behavioural strategies he has identified.
Furthermore, it is relevant that the course convenors highlight his
ongoing mistrust of women and persistent anti-authoritarian attitudes.
I remain of the opinion that the most relevant risk factors for sexual
recidivism are his deviant sexual interest in children, the risk of future
dysfunctional intimate relationships, longstanding personality
dysfunction and the risk of returning to substance abuse.
Even accounting for treatment effects and the relatively low severity
of his offending, due to factors including his young age, the presence
of sexual deviancy and his ongoing avoidance and denial, a
supervision order of 10 years’ duration is required to ensure he
develops and concretises the necessary attitudinal, behavioural and
social changes required to manage his risk of recidivism.”
[44] When giving oral evidence in chief about the outcome of the HISOP, Dr Arthur stated
that it was encouraging that the respondent engaged so well in the treatment, that he
was seen to be an active participant and that some gains had been made. Dr Arthur
noted that he had not seen that in the respondent when he first assessed him.
Nevertheless, he maintained the opinions set out in his further supplementary report
which I have extracted in the preceding paragraph.
[45] During cross-examination, Dr Arthur accepted that there had been progress insofar as
the respondent had developed insight generally into his sexual offending, had shown
a commitment to change within the HISOP and is now acknowledging to some degree
a sexual arousal or sexual gratification from his behaviour. However, Dr Arthur noted
that the respondent’s conduct in not admitting the first offence and not admitting that
he has a deviant sexual interest in children demonstrated a degree of denial.
[46] When it was suggested to Dr Arthur in cross-examination that a supervision order of
seven or eight years duration would be appropriate in the circumstances he gave the
following answer:11
“Well, I suppose when you’re thinking about the length of a
supervision order, we – we need to think about what we know, what
we do know. And again, you know, our – our understanding and our
– the tools that we use to predict recidivism as far from perfect, but we
– we have what we have. And when we look at that, when we look at
11 Transcript 1-14.
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– at risk factors that have shown to – you know, to be significant, a
deviant sexual interest in children is certainly a significant risk factor.
And what we find is that people who have a sexual deviancy, their risk
of recidivism is certainly much longer than someone who doesn’t have
a sexual deviancy. I think young age is also a – a significant risk factor
because young – younger offenders tend to remain sexually active and
sexually preoccupied for longer. And in the scheme of things Mr
Barnes is still quite young. And I think the other thing that we need
to consider is the risk factor of his personality functioning, which has
been highlighted in all the assessment. His predominant personality
is – is one of a passive aggressive avoidant personality. Some people
have noted that he has some antiauthoritarian attitudes and that there
– they were sill highlighted in the – in the HISOP. Now, you know,
we can talk about the vernation or the reason that he’s developed those,
but those personality traits and personality traits that he identifies
himself, in part, led to the offending, they haven’t changed. They
don’t change. Personalities don’t change very quickly. And so we
don’t – what we don’t know is we know how Mr Barnes presents in
jail. We know how he presents in – in a group treatment program. We
don’t know how he presents in the community and what’s going to
happen. So we have to think about these risk factors. We also have
to look at the static risk facts. And again, they’re not perfect, but his
Static-99R score puts him in the well above average risk range. And
when you think about and what we know about people in that – that
high risk range is that their risk does tender to persist longer than
somebody in a lower risk range. And there was a paper by Hanson
and colleagues in 2018 that looked at that and they looked at 7000
cases. And that showed that for someone with a Static-99R score of
7, to get just to average risk it takes 10 years or 11 years actually to
get at the top level. I suppose when I talk about 10 years really what
I’m saying is that these aren’t – these are really relevant risk factors
that haven’t yet been addressed and hopefully will be addressed. But
I think that a longer duration is necessary in order not just to cover that
static factors but to acknowledge that the change for these core issues
is going to take a longer time.”
[47] Dr Arthur also expressed a concern that the respondent, if subject to supervision for
an insufficient period of time, might engage in therapy but not necessarily take on
what that therapy teaches. The concern was expressed as follows:12
“And so if he doesn’t have an adequate degree of time where he is
supervised and – and ensured that he’s maintaining progress, then after
five years he can go and do his own thing. Something can happen. He
can engage in a relationship that fails. He can have access to a victim
at the wrong time. And if he hasn’t internalised those management
strategies, he’s likely to reoffend. And that’s what we know from his
– his Static scores and also from his dynamic risk factors. So yes,
absolutely his goals are going to be impacted by a supervision order.
Does there need to be a longer supervision order to manage his risk?
Absolutely.”
12 Transcript 1-15 – 1-16.
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14
[48] As to the prospect of the respondent not internalising the management strategies
taught through therapy, Dr Arthur said this:13
“Your Honour, my experience in these cases is that when people get
out of jail they’re very motivated to move on with their lives and that
therapy initially is actually focused on them moving on with their
lives. Now, Michelle Andrews isn’t here to comment on that, but
when I read treatment reports what I hear is often the focus for the first
six, sometimes 12 months, is on adjust: getting out of jail, coping with
being on an order, all the hassles and all the problems that come along
with that. And then in between there’s some – some sexual – you
know, addressing the sexual deviancy side of things. But it’s a long
process and it’s often an interrupted process because life stressors
come along and they need to be dealt with in therapy. So yes, he’s
engaged and yes, he has moved forward. But when I said ‘do nothing’
I suppose what I meant was, ‘You can avoid dealing with your sexual
deviancy. You can find other things to deal with,’ and, in fact, often
that’s the case. I’d almost say it’s almost always the case, particularly
in the first 12 to 24 months. So the – the work on the sexual deviancy
is a very long-term approach, and that – that does take a long time.
And I have patients who are still working on that at the 10 year mark
and not making a great deal of progress. Now, I’m not saying – I can’t
generalise to Mr Barnes, but I my concern is when you look at the
static risk factors, when you look at the – what we know about his risk,
his risk is real and it is significant. This is a man who has offended
over – on a number of occasions with a number of different victims
despite sanctions. You know, this is a man who did not comply with
reporting requirements when he was out. This is a man, you know,
who – who did not regulate his behaviour. Now, yes, he didn’t have
treatment and now he’s getting treatment, but we can’t ignore those
concerns.
[49] Dr Josephine Sundin prepared a report dated 5 May 2022 for the purpose of a risk
assessment pursuant to s 11 of the Act. In that report, Dr Sundin diagnosed the
respondent with:
(a) Paedophilic Disorder – non-exclusive, not limited to incest;
(b) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, chronic, childhood onset;
(c) Substance Use Disorder – methamphetamine in sustained remission whilst
incarcerated; and
(d) Mixed Personality Disorder – avoidant, passive and borderline personality
traits.
[50] On the question of the risk of further offending, Dr Sundin reported as follows:
“Mr Barnes’ sexual offending history is characterised by both
diversity and chronicity with the offences occurring over an eight year
period. He has offended against both males and females, infants and
13 Transcript 1-16.
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15
older children. Despite now having three tranches of convictions, he
continues to deny any deviant sexual interest in children, and
continues to assert his innocence for the offences from 2012.
He is highly preoccupied with the judgement of others, and is at risk
of regression into maladaptive coping strategies. He has a
longstanding pattern of passivity, which has contributed to his
difficulties in managing interpersonal problems. His sexual offending
has been aggravated by conflict within relationships, low self-esteem
and substance abuse. He has a poor history of compliance with
supervision orders, and has attracted multiple sanctions in response to
poor compliance. The lack of compliance appears to have been
avoidance arising from feelings of shame and fear of judgement rather
than from an anti-authoritarian attitude.
The risk to future victims is not imminent, but would arise in the
setting of interpersonal conflict, reversion to avoidant/passive coping
strategies, regression into substance abuse, and reversion to emotional
identification with children. Any future offending will involve
children and may progress from touching to more intrusive actions
such as oral intercourse and potentially digital penetration. Whilst
Mr Barnes was clearly putting the case for not being subject to a
supervision order, I do not consider that such an assertion is
sustainable given the chronicity of his sexual offending.
Mr Barnes has a much better employment record than many of the
other offenders I have assessed. He has good prospects for
regaining employment, which will facilitate ease of access to
private accommodation. I would anticipate that his parents are
likely to be supportive in assisting him to find suitable private
accommodation. I note that CREST has been unable to assist him
in finding suitable accommodation. I would agree with Mr Barnes
that the less times he spends at the Wacol Precinct, the better.
In my opinion, taking all of the factors from both the collateral
history and the interview with Mr Barnes, I would assess his
unmodified risk of future sexual recidivism to be moderate to high.
The presence of a supervision order would reduce the risk from
moderate/high to moderate/low.
A supervision order would provide oversight, reduce victim access,
involve GPS monitoring and exclusion zones, require abstinence
from drugs and require continuing engagement in psychological
therapy. The latter in particular is necessary to assist Mr Barnes to
overcome the shame/struggle he feels in not acknowledging his
sexually deviant arousal so that he can be assisted to further address
his potential for future paedophilic behaviour.
I would recommend that Mr Barnes have a requirement for absolute
abstinence. Whilst he does not consider that alcohol has been
problematic for him, he has relied on substance misuse as a form
of avoidance coping in the past. Alcohol could very readily be
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16
abused and, as a disinhibiting agent, could enable Mr Barnes acting
on his sexual deviance.
Mr Barnes is a relatively young man who has the future capacity
to form a more satisfactory intimate partner relationship and to
obtain and maintain employment.
Whilst he has made good progress with the HISOP, his level of
self-awareness is still suboptimal and he is still in denial of several
key aspects of his offending history.
I would therefore respectfully recommend to the Court that he be
subject to supervision for a period of seven years, which would
enable consolidation of risk management strategies and less
maladaptive coping responses to life’s exigencies.”
[51] On 19 July 2022, after reviewing the HISOP completion report, Dr Sundin described
that report as “generally positive with a satisfactory relapse prevention plan” and
stated that the report did not change her previous written advice.
[52] When giving oral evidence in chief, Dr Sundin stated that the HISOP completion
report had consolidated her earlier opinion. When asked if she had changed her view
as to the length of the supervision order being in the order of seven years she
acknowledged a discussion about a duration of 10 years but stated that, in view of the
HISOP completion report and other protective factors in the respondent, she adhered
to her earlier opinion that a period of seven years was appropriate.14 During cross-
examination, Dr Sundin confirmed that the period of seven years she proposed would
be appropriate to provide the respondent with access to therapy, to gain further insight
and, most importantly, to actualise what he learns in a real world setting in order to
reduce the risk of reoffending in the future.15
[53] Dr Michael Beech prepared a report dated 30 May 2022 for the purpose of a risk
assessment pursuant to s 11 of the Act. In that report, Dr Beech diagnosed the
respondent with:
(a) Paedophilic Disorder – non-exclusive;
(b) Substance Use Disorder (now in remission in an enforced environment);
(c) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or a similar trauma-related disorder from
childhood abuse;
(d) Avoidant Personality Disorder.
[54] On the question of the risk of further offending, Dr Beech reported as follows:
“… I do not believe that he has an anti-social personality disorder or
psychopathy. The sexual offending aside, there are no indications he
holds to anti-social attitudes but there is evidence of an anti-authority
attitude, distrust, grievance, and entitlement, and an attitude that he
has been unfairly treated. In my opinion, this acts to make him prone
14 Transcript 1-4.
15 Transcript 1-8.
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17
to believing he does not need to abide by reporting conditions. I agree
with the facilitators of the HISOP that this is an area of treatment need.
At this point, it is difficult to know to what extent the HISOP has
reduced the risk. When I saw Mr Barnes, he had reasonably [sic] plans
for his release but there were outstanding treatment needs in relation
to sexual offending, paedophilia, and personality issues. He was able
to articulate an understanding of the psychological and emotional
factors that may have underpinned his offending, although I have a
concern that he was able to use jargon too easily. Despite that, it is
very likely he has benefited from the HISOP. The difficulty is that
until he completes the HISOP, he will not have formulated and
produced the relapse prevention plan that he will need to use on
release.
Taking that all into account, I believe that the risk of re-offending is
in the much above average or high range. He has offended on three
occasions against children. Two of the offending episodes have
occurred on suspended sentences while subject to reporting
conditions. One of the offending episodes occurred while he had
engaged in over 30 sessions of psychological counselling with an
experienced psychologist. The second offending had occurred within
a relatively short periods [sic] of release. The last two offending
episodes occurred because he continued to have contact with children.
In the community, he has not complied with reporting conditions,
especially reporting conditions in relation to contact with children.
Instead, he had fallen into highly dysfunctional relationships and then
blamed his offending on his inability to extricate himself from them.
Substance use may have played some role in some of the offending.
The offending would involve young children of either gender. It
would mots [sic] likely entail indecent touching but there is a
substantial risk it could progress.
In answer to questions posed in the letter of commission, it is my
opinion that:
• Mr Barnes would be at much above average (HIGH)
risk of committing another sexual offence against a child
if released into the community without supervision
• If he was released from custody with a supervision order,
that risk would be reduced to BELOW MODERATE.
A supervision order would act to reduce the risk by more stringent
monitoring and supervision that is likely to more effectively restrict
his access to children. It would also more effectively monitor his
substance use. It would assist him to engage in and maintain
counselling. A supervision order should require conditions that relate
to contact with children, substance use testing, and psychological
treatment.
In my opinion, Mr Barnes would benefit from completing the HISOP
prior to release so that he could develop an effective relapse prevention
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18
plan that those who supervise him could refer to, and that he could use
day to day to self-manage his risk.
If he is to be released to supervision, I would recommend ten years.
This is a long period of supervision for someone who has committed
what would probably be deemed as relatively low-level offences. I
believe though that his risk factors of personality disturbance, PTSD,
and limited awareness into how his anti-authority attitudes affect him
means that the risk is more likely to continue for some time.”
[55] On 26 July 2022, after reviewing the HISOP completion report, Dr Beech prepared a
supplementary report in which he stated:
“I note [the respondent] completed 342 hours of program. His
participation throughout was excellent. He appears to have been an
insightful group participant to [sic] was able to explore the antecedents
to his offending. As he has done with others, he denied culpability for
his first offending episode but was open to discussing the subsequent
two. Although the New Future Plan is not included with this report,
the facilitators thought he developed an appropriate risk-management
plan.
There are multiple high-risk factors that were canvassed during the
program. Although Mr Barnes has likely learned strategies to deal
with them, I agree with the facilitators that he will need to practise
them on his release. I also agree that further interventions in the
community would be beneficial.
This is a very positive outcome and Mr Barnes should be congratulated
for his successful participation in this course. It remains my view he
is at much above average risk of committing another sexual offence
against a child if he is released into the community without
supervision, notwithstanding the positive results from this program. I
also believe that he is suitable for a supervision order, which would
reduce the risk to below moderate at least. That supervision order
should include individual counselling and participation, where
available, in a sexual offending maintenance program.”
[56] Dr Beech was subsequently provided with a copy of the respondent’s relapse
prevention plan which is referred to in the material as the New Future Plan. Having
considered that document, Dr Beech prepared a further supplementary report in which
he agreed that the New Future plan was an appropriate risk-management plan. He
described the plan as more detailed than most and noted that the comments within the
plan are insightful and appropriate. Dr Beech confirmed that the content of the New
Future Plan did not affect the opinion he expressed in his supplementary report dated
26 July 2022.
[57] Neither the supplementary report nor the further supplementary report prepared by
Dr Beech addressed the appropriate duration of a supervision order.
[58] Dr Beech did not give oral evidence at the hearing.
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19
The parties’ respective positions
[59] In this case, the Attorney-General has applied in the alternative for a continuing
detention order or a supervision order. However, while the application in the
alternative for a continuing detention order is maintained, Mr Mumford, who
appeared as counsel for the Attorney-General, acknowledged that the evidence
supports a finding that the adequate protection of the community can be ensured by
the making of a supervision order. It was submitted that the term of a supervision
order should be ten years.
[60] The respondent, by his counsel, Ms Cooper, expressly accepted that the court would
find that he is a serious danger to the community in the absence of a division 3 order,
but contended that the risk of him committing a serious sexual offence upon release
could be adequately managed by compliance with the terms of a supervision order.
The respondent contends that the appropriate duration of a supervision order is seven
years.
Whether the discretion to make a division 3 order is enlivened
[61] The evidence before me, including the evidence of the psychiatrists on the question
of risk of sexual reoffending, is acceptable and cogent. On the basis of that evidence,
and having regard to the matters set out in s 13(4) of the Act, I am satisfied that the
concession made by Ms Cooper that the respondent is a serious danger to the
community in the absence of a division 3 order was properly made.
[62] That finding engages the discretion to make a division 3 order under s 13(5) of the
Act.
The appropriate order
[63] There are no factors in this case which would cause the court to permit the
unsupervised release of the respondent. That is to say, adequate protection of the
community would not be ensured by the exercise of the discretion to make no division
3 order.
[64] I am, however, satisfied that adequate protection of the community can be reasonably
and practicably managed by a supervision order. The concession made by Mr
Mumford to that effect is supported by the evidence of the psychiatrists and, again, I
consider that concession to have been properly made.
[65] I am satisfied that adequate protection of the community can be ensured by the
making of a supervision order.
[66] The real issue of contention between the parties on this application is as to the length
of the supervision order.
[67] As set out above, there is a difference in the opinions expressed by the psychiatrists.
Dr Sundin thought a period of seven years would be appropriate. Dr Arthur and Dr
Beech thought ten years, although, in circumstances where the supplementary report
does not address the appropriate length of a supervision order, it is not clear to me
whether Dr Beech’s opinion as to the appropriate duration of the order might have
-- 19 of 27 --
20
changed in light of what he described as the “very positive outcome” from the
respondent’s completion of the HISOP.
[68] A consideration which seems to explain the difference between the opinions of Dr
Sundin and Dr Arthur concerns the effect of what is referred to in some of the material
as the respondent’s anti-authoritarian views. As set out in the second paragraph of
the opinions extracted in [50] above, Dr Sundin thought that the respondent’s poor
history of compliance with supervision orders was due to avoidance arising from
feelings of shame and fear of judgement rather than the result of an anti-authoritarian
attitude. In contrast, Dr Arthur made a number of references to concerns raised by
what he described as the respondent’s “pervasive anti-system attitudes” or his
“persistent anti-authoritarian attitudes” (see the evidence extracted in [42], [43] and
[46] above) and the implications this might have for the respondent’s cooperation and
supervision. I understand this to underpin, at least in part, Dr Arthur’s expressed
concern about how long it might take for the respondent to develop and internalise
the necessary attitudinal, behavioural and social changes required to manage his risk
of recidivism.
[69] Although the HISOP completion report refers to the respondent having a history of
anti-authoritarian views,16 and includes a comment encouraging future case managers
and supervising officers to be mindful of the respondent’s distrust in authority,17 the
facilitators referred specifically in the concluding section to the respondent having
demonstrated insight into likely supervision conditions and a willingness to develop
a professional relationship with his supervision officers, as well as having made a
shift regarding his co-operation with supervision (extracted in [35] above).18 Reading
the HISOP completion report as a whole, I do not consider that Dr Arthur’s concerns
about the implications of the respondent’s anti-authoritarian views take full account
of the shift which appears to already have occurred in the respondent’s attitude
towards supervision as a consequence of his completion of the HISOP.
[70] Likewise, I am not satisfied that Dr Beech’s opinion that a ten year supervision order
would be appropriate (if that remains his opinion) takes full account of that attitudinal
shift resulting from the respondent’s participation in the HISOP.
[71] For those reasons, I prefer the evidence of Dr Sundin as to the time required for the
respondent to continue his psychological therapy and any other interventions required
during supervision so as to address the risk of his reoffending.
[72] In fixing the period of the supervision order the court must predict the time in the
future at which the respondent will present an acceptable risk of reoffending without
a supervision order. Ultimately, assessment of the risk as acceptable or otherwise is
a matter for the court not the psychiatrists, but the psychiatrist’s opinions are plainly
relevant.19
[73] Having regard to all of the evidence, and taking account of the shift in the
respondent’s attitude towards treatment and supervision demonstrated by his
participation in the HISOP, I consider that the respondent will reach a point at which
16 See pages 2 and 3.
17 See page 5.
18 See page 5.
19 Attorney-General for the State of Queensland v KAH [2019] 3 Qd R 329 at [56] – [57], [68].
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21
he is an acceptable risk of reoffending without a supervision order after a period of
seven years from his release to supervision.
[74] Finally, I note that the Attorney-General read an affidavit sworn by Marissa Piat, the
Acting Manager of the High-Risk Offender Management Unit within Community
Corrections, Queensland Corrective Services. That affidavit addressed the practical
arrangements available for the supervision of the respondent and his reintegration into
the community, including accommodation, supervision, medical treatment and other
community support services. On the basis of that evidence I consider that the
requirements of s 16 of the Act can be reasonably and practicably managed by
corrective services officers.
[75] The parties have agreed on the terms of the supervision order, save for the question
of the duration of the order. I am satisfied that those terms are appropriate.
Conclusion
[76] I find that:
(a) the respondent is a serious danger to the community if released from custody
without a supervision order being made; and
(b) adequate protection of the community can be reasonably and practicably
managed by a supervision order.
[77] I order the respondent’s release from custody be subject to the requirements set out
in the Schedule to these reasons until 21 July 2029.
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SCHEDULE
The court is satisfied that Liam Derrick Barnes, is a serious danger to the community.
The rules in this order are made according to the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual
Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld).
The court orders that Liam Derrick Barnes must follow the rules in this supervision
order for seven years, until 21 July 2029.
To Liam Derrick Barnes:
1. You are being released from prison but only if you obey the rules in this
supervision order.
2. If you break any of the rules in this supervision order, the police or Queensland
Corrective Services have the power to arrest you. Then the court might order
that you go back to prison.
3. You must obey these rules for the next seven years.
Reporting
4. On the day this order is made, you must report before 4 pm to a corrective
services officer at the Community Corrections office closest to where you will
live. You must tell the corrective services officer your name and the address
where you will live.
5. A corrective services office will tell you the times and dates when you must
report to them. You must report to them at the times they tell you to report. A
corrective services officer might visit you at your home. You must let the
corrective services officer come into your house.
To “report” means to visit a corrective services officer and talk to them face to
face.
Supervision
6. A corrective services officer will supervise you until this order is finished. This
means you must obey any reasonable direction that a corrective services officer
gives you about:
(a) Where you are allowed to live; and
(b) Rehabilitation, care or treatment programs; and
(c) Using drugs and alcohol; and
(d) Who you may have contact with; and
(e) Anything else, except for instructions that mean you will break the rules in
this supervision order.
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A “reasonable direction” is an instruction about what you must do, or what you
must not do, that is reasonable in that situation.
If you are not sure about a direction, you can ask a corrective services officer
for more information, or talk to your lawyer about it.
7. You must answer and tell the truth if a corrective services officer asks you about
where you are, what you have been doing or what you are planning to do, and
who you are spending time with.
8. If you change your name, where you live or any employment, you must tell a
corrective services officer at least two business days before the change will
happen.
A “business day” is a week day (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday) that is not a public holiday.
No sexual offences
9. You must not break the law by committing a sexual offence.
Where you must live
10. You must live at a place approved by a corrective services officer. You must
obey any rules that are made about people who live there.
11. You must not live at another place. If you want to live at another place, you
must tell a corrective services officer the address of the place you want to live.
The corrective services officer will decide if you are allowed to live at that place.
You are allowed to change the place you live only when you get written
permission from a corrective services officer to live at another place.
This also means you must get written permission from a corrective services
officer before you are allowed to stay overnight, or for a few days, or for a few
weeks, at another place.
12. You must not leave Queensland. If you want to leave Queensland, you must ask
for written permission from a corrective services officer. You are allowed to
leave Queensland only after you get written permission from a corrective
services officer.
Curfew direction
13. A corrective services officer has power to tell you to stay at a place (for example,
the place you live) at particular times. This is called a curfew direction. You
must obey a curfew direction.
Monitoring direction
14. A corrective services officer has power to tell you to:
(a) Wear a device that tracks your location; and
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(b) Let them install a device or equipment at the place you live. This will
monitor if you are there.
This is called a monitoring direction. You must obey a monitoring direction.
Employment or study
15. You must get written permission from a corrective services officer before you
are allowed to start a job, start studying or start volunteer work.
16. When you ask for permission, you must tell the corrective services officer these
things:
(a) What the job is;
(b) Who you will work for;
(c) What hours you will work each day;
(d) The place or places where you will work; and
(e) (if it is study) where you want to study and what you want to study.
17. If a corrective services officer tells you to stop working or studying you must
obey what they tell you.
Motor vehicles
18. You must tell a corrective services officer the details (make, model, colour and
registration number) about any vehicle you own, borrow or hire. You must tell
the corrective services officer these details immediately (on the same day) you
get the vehicle.
A vehicle includes a car, motorbike, ute or truck.
Mobile phone
19. You are only allowed to own or have (even if you do not own it) one mobile
phone. You must tell a corrective services officer the details (make, model,
phone number and service provider) about any mobile phone you own or have
within 24 hours of when you get the phone.
20. You must give a corrective services officer all passwords and passcodes for any
mobile phones you own or have. You must let a corrective services officer look
at the phone and everything on the phone.
Computers and internet
21. You must get written permission from a corrective services officer before you
are allowed to use a computer, phone or other device to access the internet.
22. You must give a corrective services officer any password or other access code
you know for the computer, phone or other device. You must do this within 24
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25
hours of when you start using the computer, phone or other device. You must
let a corrective services officer look at the computer, phone or other device and
everything on it.
23. You must give a corrective services officer details (including user names and
passwords) about any email address, instant messaging service, chat rooms, or
social networking sites that you use. You must do this within 24 hours of when
you start using any of these things.
No contact within any victim
24. You must not contact or try to contact any victim(s) of a sexual offence
committed by you. You must not ask someone else to do this for you.
“Contact” means any type of communication, including things like talking,
texting, sending letters or emails, posting pictures or chatting. You must not do
any of these things in person, by telephone, computer, social media or in any
other way.
Rules about alcohol and drugs
25. You are not allowed to take (for example, swallow, eat, inject, or sniff) any
alcohol. You are also not allowed to have with you or be in control of any
alcohol.
26. You are not allowed to take (for example, swallow, eat, inject, smoke or sniff)
any illegal drugs. You are also not allowed to have with you or be in control of
any illegal drugs.
27. A corrective services officer has the power to tell you to take a drug test or
alcohol test. You must take the drug test or alcohol test when they tell you to.
You must give them some of your breath, or pee (urine) when they tell you to
do this.
28. You are not allowed to go to pubs, clubs, hotels or nightclubs which are licensed
to supply or serve alcohol. If you want to go to one of these places, you must
first get written permission from a corrective services officer. If you do not get
written permission, you are not allowed to go.
Rules about medicine
29. You must tell a corrective services officer about any medicine that a doctor
prescribes (tells you to buy). You must also tell a corrective services officer
about any over the counter medicine that you buy or have with you. You must
do this within 24 hours of seeing the doctor or buying the medicine.
30. You must take prescribed medicine only as directed by a doctor. You must not
take any medicine (other than over the counter medicine) which has not been
prescribed for you by a doctor.
Rules about rehabilitation and counselling
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26
31. You must obey any direction a corrective services officer gives you about seeing
a doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or other counsellor.
32. You must obey any direction a corrective services officer gives you about
participating in any treatment or rehabilitation program.
33. You must let corrective services officers get information about you from any
treatment or from any rehabilitation program.
Speaking to corrective services about what you plan to do
34. You must talk to a corrective services officer about what you plan to do each
week. A corrective services officer will tell you how to do this (for example,
face to face or in writing).
35. You must also tell a corrective services officer the name of new persons you
have met.
This includes: people you spend time with, make friends with, work with, see
or speak to (including by using social media or the internet) regularly.
36. You may need to tell new contacts about your supervision order and offending
history. The corrective services officer will instruct you to tell those persons
and the corrective services officer may speak to them to make sure you have
given them all the information.
Contact with children
37. You are not allowed to have any contact with children under 16 years of age. If
you want to have supervised or unsupervised contact with a child under 16 years
of age you must first get written permission from a corrective services officer.
If you do not get written permission, you are not allowed to have contact with
the child.
“Contact” means any type of communication, including things like talking with
them face to face, texting, sending letters or emails, posting pictures or chatting,
using a telephone, computer, social media or in any other way.
“Supervised” means having contact with the child while another person is with
you and the child.
“Unsupervised” means having contact with the child while there is no other
person with you and the child.
38. If you have any repeated contact (that is, more than one time) with a parent,
guardian or carer of a child under the age of 16, you must:
(a) tell the person(s) about this supervision order; and
(b) tell a corrective services officer the details of the person(s).
You must do this immediately. This means you have to tell the person, and tell
a corrective services officer, on the same day you have contact with the person.
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39. Queensland Corrective Services has power to give information about you, and
about this supervision order, to any parent, guardian or caregivers that you have
contact with.
40. Queensland Corrective Services also has power to give information about you,
and about this supervision order, to an external agency (such as the Department
of Child Safety).
41. You must not:
(a) join any club or organisation in which children are involved;
(b) participate in any club or organisation in which children are involved.
If you want to do any of these things, you must first get written permission
from a corrective services officer. If you do not get written permission, you
cannot do any of these things.
Other specific conditions
42. You must not collect photos/videos/magazines which have images of children
in them without prior approval of a Corrective Services officer.
If you have any you may be asked to get rid of them by a corrective services
officer
43. You are not to get child exploitation material or images of children on a
computer or phone from the internet.
44. You must develop a management plan with your psychologist or psychiatrist to
address any risk of sexual re-offence. You must talk about this with a corrective
services officer when asked.
45. You must advise your case manager of any personal relationships you have
started.
46. You must obtain the prior written approval of a Corrective Services officer
before possessing any equipment that enables you to take photographs or record
moving images.
“Equipment” means any type of devices, including things like mobile phones,
digital or video cameras, computers, laptops, tablets, surveillance cameras
including dashboard cameras and drones.
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Official source: https://www.sclqld.org.au/caselaw/QSC/2022/177