Attorney General for the State of Queensland v FJA [2020] QSC 359
SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND
CITATION: Attorney General for the State of Queensland v FJA [2020]
QSC 359
PARTIES: ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF
QUEENSLAND
(applicant)
v
FJA
(respondent)
FILE NO/S: BS No 10200 of 2018
DIVISION: Trial Division
PROCEEDING: Application
ORIGINATING
COURT:
Supreme Court of Queensland at Brisbane
DELIVERED ON: 1 December 2020
DELIVERED AT: Brisbane
HEARING DATE: 30 November 2020
JUDGE: Ryan J
ORDER: That the respondent be released under supervision and on
the conditions contained in the attached order.
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 has
served terms of imprisonment for two sets of sexual offences
against early to mid-adolescent boys where Applegarth J,
being satisfied that the respondent is a serious danger to the
community in the absence of a Division 3 Order, made orders
pursuant to s 13(5)(a) of the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual
Offenders) Act 2003, that the respondent be detained in
custody for an indefinite term for control, care or treatment –
where this is the first review of the order for the respondent’s
continuing detention where the reason for the respondent’s
detention in 2018 was treatment in the High Intensity Sexual
Offenders Program (HISOP) where the respondent’s severe
mixed personality disorder and social anxiety disorder
conspired to prevent him from absorbing the contents of the
program and interfered with his engagement in it where the
respondent is able to undertake one-on-one treatment in the
community whether the decision of Applegarth J, that the
prisoner is a serious danger to the community in the absence
of a Division 3 order, ought to be affirmed whether adequate
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protection of the community can be ensured by the release of
the prisoner on a supervision order
Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld)
s 13(4), s 30(3), s 30(4)
Attorney General for the State of Queensland v FJA [2018]
QSC 291
COUNSEL: J Rolls for the applicant
L Reece for the respondent
SOLICITORS: Crown Solicitor for the applicant
Legal Aid Queensland for the respondent
[1] The respondent is a prisoner who is subject to a continuing detention order, having
reached the full time release date of the period of imprisonment imposed upon him for
sexual offences committed upon young boys.
[2] The order for his continuing detention was made by Applegarth J on 6 December 2018,
under the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (“the Act”) (see [2018]
QSC 291).
[3] This is the first review of his Honour’s order under Part 3 of the Act.
[4] The review hearing itself is governed by section 30 of the Act. The operation of that
section and the Act as a whole is well known. I will not rehearse its detail in these
reasons.
[5] Upon this review, I am required to decide first whether I am satisfied, by acceptable,
cogent evidence, that Applegarth J’s previous decision, that the prisoner is a serious
danger to the community in the absence of a Division 3 order, ought to be affirmed.
[6] And, if so affirmed, then I must consider whether “adequate” protection of the
community can be ensured by the release of the prisoner on a supervision order. If
not, then a continuing detention order ought to be made.1
[7] I must treat as paramount the need to ensure adequate protection of the community. I
must also consider whether the requirements for a supervision order prescribed by
section 16 of the Act can be reasonably and practicably managed by Corrective
Services.
[8] As I indicated to the parties at the hearing of this matter yesterday, I am persuaded on
the evidence that the appropriate order now is an order for the release of the respondent
prisoner on supervision for a period of seven years, on conditions designed to reduce
his risk of further sexual offending. Implicit in that indication was the fact that I am
persuaded that the decision of Applegarth J, that the prisoner is a serious danger to the
community in the absence of a Division 3 order, ought to be affirmed.
1 This is subject to the discretion to make no order – but that option is not something that requires
consideration in this case.
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[9] So as to ensure that the respondent prisoner is not detained in custody any longer than
necessary, these reasons for my being so persuaded (which must accompany my order)
have been drafted quickly. I have drawn heavily upon the submissions of the applicant
in these reasons – the respondent having accepted their accuracy in so far as they dealt
with the background to the application, the case law, and the respondent’s criminal
history; and in their summary of the relevant psychiatric and psychological evidence.
[10] I will first explain my reasons for affirming the relevant decision of Applegarth J and
then explain my reasons for making an order for the respondent’s release under
supervision.
Affirmation of the decision made on 6 December 2018
[11] In deciding whether to affirm the decision of Applegarth J, that the prisoner is a serious
danger to the community in the absence of a Division 3 order, I must consider whether
I am satisfied that there is still an unacceptable risk that the prisoner will commit a
serious sexual offence in the absence of a Division 3 order. A “serious sexual offence”
is an offence of a sexual nature, involving violence, or against children. In making
that decision, I am to have regard to the matters set out in section 13(4) of the Act.
[12] In this case, the respondent concedes that there is before me acceptable, cogent
evidence, which would satisfy me, to the requisite high degree of probability, that the
respondent remains a serious danger to the community in the absence of a Division 3
order. Such a concession is properly made.
[13] The psychiatric and psychological evidence, considered in the context of all of the
other evidence, points convincingly to that conclusion. The effect of the evidence is
that the respondent has demonstrated a pattern of sexually offending against male
children aged under 16. He has hebephilia (a paraphilia) – that is, an attraction to
pubescent, young males. He has not yet completed a sexual offender treatment
program and he has been assessed as presenting a high risk of sexually re-offending
were he to be released from custody unsupervised.
[14] I therefore affirm the decision of Applegarth J as required by section 30(2) of the Act.
Division 3 order
[15] The discretion conferred by section 30(3) of the Act is thus enlivened and I must
consider which Division 3 order ought to be made to adequately protect the community
from the relevant risk posed by the respondent. I am concerned with adequate
protection of the community – not guaranteed protection. If a supervision order is in
contemplation, then I must be satisfied that the respondent will comply with it, or at
least that he is capable of complying with it.
[16] For the reasons that follow, I am of the view that adequate protection of the community
can be ensured by the release of the respondent on supervision, subject to strict
conditions. Broadly, I am of that view because the constraints of a supervision order
will serve to significantly restrict, if not eliminate, the respondent’s access to potential
victims while he undertakes appropriate treatment of his paraphilia and while he
matures and his personality stabilises (thereby lowering risk). It may be hoped that,
under supervision, his sexual identity will stabilise and he will be encouraged to form
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mature, adult relationships, which will also protect the community from the risk of re-
offending into the future.
Background
[17] The respondent is 30 years old. He will turn 31 in January.
[18] The decision of Applegarth J sets out in detail the facts of the respondent’s sexual
offending; his criminal history; his sexual history; his educational history; his drug and
alcohol history; his medical and psychiatric history; and his conduct in prison (up until
November 2018). It also refers to his unsuccessful parole application. I will not repeat
those details in these reasons, but note that I have considered them all.
[19] I have also noted the aspects of the opinions of the expert psychiatrists and
psychologists upon which his Honour placed particular weight, as set out in his
Honour’s reasons. These included the risk assessments undertaken by Dr Josephine
Sundin, Dr Scott Harden and Dr Andrew Aboud which identified the relevant risk as
“high”.
[20] The expert evidence before his Honour was to the effect that the respondent’s
participation in a sexual offenders’ treatment program such as the HISOP [the High
Intensity Sexual Offenders Program] (which is only available in custody) was
necessary to reduce the respondent’s risk of sexually re-offending to an acceptable
level.
[21] In finding that the respondent presented an unacceptable risk of serious sexual
offending, in the absence of a Division 3 order, Applegarth J said (my emphasis) –
[110] Having regard to each of the matters stated in s 13(4) and, in
particular the risk assessments to which I have referred, I am
satisfied to the high degree required that the respondent presents an
unacceptable risk of committing a serious sexual offence if released
from custody without an order being made under s 13. The evidence
is cogent and satisfies me to a high degree of probability.
[111] The respondent suffers from a paraphilia, namely hebephilia, being
an attraction to pubescent males. The unmodified risk of offending
has been assessed by the psychiatrists who prepared reports for
the purposes of this application as high.
[112] The respondent’s pattern of offending and the fact that he has
not engaged in any sexual offender treatment program places
him at a high risk of committing a serious sexual offence. A strict
supervision order would reduce the level of risk somewhat.
However, his past non-compliance with reporting conditions and
lack of treatment provides limited assurance that he would comply
with a supervision order sufficiently to reduce the risk of re-
offending to an acceptably low level. Moreover, he would need to
be subject to effective detention and curfews at a place such as The
Precinct and would not receive the benefit of the HISOP group
program [that is, the High Intensity Sexual Offenders Program].
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[113] The evidence is clear that participation in that program will
better equip the respondent and those who supervise him upon
his release to manage risk. Whilst the respondent retains the
support of some family members, he has a limited number of pro-
social relationships. As Dr Harden observed, the respondent is
“effectively untreated and a recidivist sexual offender with a
very rapid period of reinstatement associated probably with
substance abuse”. The recommendation of each psychiatrist that
the respondent undertake the HISOP prior to release from
custody was well-explained in their evidence.
[114] The evidence establishes that the applicant has discharged the onus
of demonstrating that a supervision order will not adequately protect
the community at this stage. Participation in the HISOP prior to
release will assist the respondent to develop insight into the
factors which led to his sexual offending in the past and to
develop an individualised risk reduction plan, including
counselling and treatment in the community.
[115] The respondent’s developing insight into the psychological factors
relevant to his offending and the consequences of his offending on
his victims should be built upon as soon as possible in a HISOP. Any
delay in the respondent receiving the required treatment by way of a
HISOP may jeopardise his progress and the objective of community
protection.
[116] In the light of the psychiatric evidence about the need for the
respondent to undertake the HISOP prior to release from custody,
counsel for the respondent correctly conceded that she could not
advance on the state of the evidence a submission for release on
supervision at this time.
[117] The respondent is a serious danger to the community in the absence
of a s 13 order. At this time, adequate protection of the community
can only be ensured by a continuing detention order under s 13(5)(a)
of the Act. The respondent is detained in custody for an indefinite
term for control, care or treatment.”
[22] His Honour explained that his order was made on the basis that the respondent would
be offered a placed in the “Getting Started: Preparatory Program” to commence in
January 2019 and thereafter, assuming his willingness to participate in HISOP, that he
would be offered a place in the HISOP in April 2019. His Honour concluded his
reasons with the following, “If the system had offered the respondent a much-needed
HISOP place over the last 18 months and he had completed the program satisfactorily,
he probably would have been released in late 2018 on a supervision order. The system
having failed the respondent and the community in this way, regrettably he must be
detained in custody for treatment”.
Events in Custody since the making of the Continuing Detention Order on 6
December 2018
[23] On 14 January 2019, the respondent was offered and accepted a placement in the
“Getting Started: Preparatory Program” (“GS:PP”). This program was offered at the
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Wolston Correctional Centre. The respondent, due to “safety issues”, did not
commence participation in that program as scheduled on 5 February 2019.
[24] In lieu thereof, Queensland Corrective Services arranged for an external psychologist,
Ms Shelley Jacks, to treat the respondent one on one, with the goal of completing the
material contained in the GS:PP. Ms Jacks engaged the respondent for a total of nine,
one hour treatment sessions held in March and April 2019. On four of those occasions
the respondent participated in sessions of two hours.
[25] Ms Jacks noted that the respondent appeared to have a number of safety concerns
which precluded him from either walking around the secure compound to the
education area, where the HISOP was conducted, or being accommodated in the
residential accommodation.
[26] Ms Jacks, after treatment, considered the respondent had addressed the treatment needs
identified in the GS:PP. He was then ready, willing and able to begin participation in
the High Intensity Sexual Offender Treatment Program. The respondent’s safety
issues also appeared to have been addressed, allowing him to be accommodated in the
residential area.
[27] Ms Jacks recommended ongoing treatment with herself until the respondent
commenced HISOP.
[28] Due to the respondent’s other continuing safety concerns, it was recommended the
respondent participate in a HISOP in a closed format. A HISOP with a closed format
means that participants enrolled in the program commence and complete the program
at the same time. The HISOP in closed format is delivered over three sessions of three
hours each week (that is, 351 hours of treatment). The respondent accepted a
placement in a closed format HISOP, to commence on 16 July 2019. He commenced
the program.
[29] On about 22 November 2019, after participating in approximately 112 hours of
treatment across 40 sessions, the respondent withdrew from the program.
[30] On 28 November 2019, a conference was convened with officers of Corrective
Services which considered the respondent’s withdrawal from the program. At the
conclusion of the conference, it was recommended that the respondent be permitted to
withdraw from the program.
[31] The respondent has not returned and completed the program.
[32] Since May 2020, the respondent has been engaged with Dr Ursula Oertel, a clinical
psychologist.
[33] The purpose of his sessions with Dr Oertel was to attempt to motivate the respondent
to further engage in the High Intensity Sexual Offender Treatment Program. Sessions
were conducted on 12 May 2020, 18 May 2020, 29 May 2020 and 3 June 2020.
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[34] Dr Oertel considered the respondent to have an interest in making changes in his life
and the motivation to engage in treatment, however, that did not extend to engaging in
further group treatment programs.
[35] Dr Oertel noted the respondent had found participation in the program “quite
challenging”. The respondent was identified as having a number of responsivity
issues that impacted upon his ability to assess, attend and to learn and benefit from
such treatment programs. The responsivity issues included mental health problems,
borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, trauma and abuse
experiences, suicidal ideation and self-harm behaviours, unsafe living conditions and
a lack of educational skills. Dr Oertel considered the respondent would benefit from
psychological intervention to improve his level of functioning. Medical intervention
to identify any psychotropic medication that may assist was also recommended.
[36] Dr Oertel recommended a neuropsychological assessment to clarify the respondent’s
intellectual and cognitive functioning. Dr Oertel noted that this assessment may assist
in identifying the type of treatment which was most appropriate for the respondent.
[37] A neuropsychological assessment was undertaken.
Report of Michelle Andrews, Neuropsychologist, dated 3 November 2020
[38] Dr Andrews assessed the respondent on 13 October 2020.
[39] Her assessment revealed that the respondent was a person with weaker verbal skills
than those demonstrated in the other domains of his functioning. She considered that
he may suffer from a verbal learning disorder, but it was more likely that he had a
weakness in verbal processing skills.
[40] The respondent was not illiterate but he struggled with abstract verbal concepts or
inferential thinking. Having said that, he possessed adequate intellectual, cognitive
skills to enable him to engage in a group based program, such as the medium intensity
sexual offenders (treatment) program (MISOP) or HISOP. However, his
psychological vulnerabilities and personality disorder were his major “responsivity
issues”.
[41] Dr Andrews was of the opinion that the respondent would struggle to meaningfully
engage upon his re-entry into group treatment: his engagement would be superficial
and he would employ positive impression management.
[42] Dr Andrews noted that the respondent had engaged well with individual intervention
and, whilst this treatment is at a lower intensity than group treatment, it appeared to
her to be the preferable way to address the respondent’s outstanding treatment needs.
Further Psychiatric Reports
Report, Dr Josephine Sundin, Forensic Psychiatrist, dated 9 October 2020
[43] Dr Sundin interviewed the respondent on 11 September 2020. She had previously
interviewed the respondent in August 2018.
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[44] Dr Sundin acknowledged that she had previously recommended the respondent
undertake a High Intensity Sexual Offender Program. However, in reviewing the
respondent’s progress and his ultimate withdrawal from that program, Dr Sundin
expressed the opinion that the respondent’s combination of a mixed personality
disorder and a social anxiety disorder, coupled with his low IQ, made it highly unlikely
that he would be capable of successfully completing such a program in the future.
[45] The respondent appeared to be overwhelmed by the group setting. This setting brought
out his borderline personality traits and his social anxiety, and thereby interfered with
his ability to participate in the program. His inability to beneficially gain from such a
program was compounded by his attentional deficits and learning difficulties.
[46] Dr Sundin observed that the respondent appeared to have done better when programs
were delivered on a one to one basis.
[47] Whilst noting that the respondent had not previously demonstrated good compliance
with community supervision orders, Dr Sundin considered that the imposition of a
supervision order under the Act had the potential to reduce the respondent’s risk of
sexual recidivism from “moderate to high” to “moderate”. In her evidence at the
hearing, she explained, in effect, that it was the constraints imposed by a supervision
order which acted to reduce the relevant risk.
[48] Dr Sundin initially recommended that the respondent not only undergo individual
counselling (with a view to further reducing his risk) but, at the same time, undertake
the MISOP, which is available in the community. (A similar recommendation was
made by Dr Andrews.)
[49] Also, Dr Sundin considered that the respondent should undertake a drug and alcohol
treatment program within the community. The respondent had refused participation
in such programs whilst incarcerated but, in Dr Sundin’s opinion, intoxication has been
highly significant in his offending. Relapse in the use of intoxicants would escalate
the risk of sexual recidivism back to high.
[50] Dr Sundin considered that, whilst under a supervision order and when participating in
any MISOP program, the respondent would need to be under a close level of
monitoring and supervision, given his potential for emotional dysregulation.
[51] Dr Sundin also perceived a need in any supervision order for “all the usual clauses”
which would include disclosure and association clauses, the use of electronic
monitoring, absence from all intoxicants and a requirement to avoid places where
adolescents are likely to engage with the respondent.
[52] Initially, Dr Sundin considered that a supervision order ought to be in place for a period
of seven to 10 years. In evidence at the hearing, she expressed the opinion that it ought
to be in place for seven years.
Addendum Report, Dr J Sundin, dated 12 November 2020
[53] Dr Sundin prepared this report after seeing the report of Dr Michelle Andrews. As a
result of perusal of Dr Andrews’ report, Dr Sundin’s opinions did not change.
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Dr Sundin’s oral evidence and change in opinion
[54] Dr Sundin explained, in evidence, that her view about the respondent’s risk of sexually
re-offending was informed by his offending history, his youth, his severe personality
disorder and the fluid nature of his account of his past.
[55] The fact that he had “dropped out” of the HISOP also influenced her assessment of his
risk.
[56] A supervision order with appropriate conditions would decrease the respondent’s
access to “victims” by way of denying him opportunities to offend. It was possible for
the order to have that effect because the respondent’s victims were boys he knew.
[57] The constraints imposed by a supervision order would reduce his risk to moderately
low, or perhaps to low.
[58] She also explained that – because the respondent was acknowledging his
homosexuality – a stable, mature, homosexual relationship might operate as a
protective factor for him, but only time would tell. I note that Dr Harden was of a
similar view.
[59] Importantly, Dr Sundin said that having considered the evidence further, she re-
evaluated her position on the need or desirability of the respondent undertaking the
MISOP in the community.
[60] On reflection, Dr Sundin’s view was that it was unrealistic to expect the respondent to
successfully engage in the MISOP. This was because of his low IQ, his severe
personality disorder and his social anxiety. She considered one-on-one therapy to be
the best way of addressing the respondent’s treatment needs. She considered that the
respondent would require treatment with someone like Dr Oertel for about two years
(which would be followed by another five years of supervision). Dr Sundin also
thought that those supervising the respondent in the community ought to consider
referring him to a private psychiatrist to investigate the possibility of medication to
address his anxiety and brittle personality – so as to maximise his therapeutic gains.
Report, Dr Scott Harden, Psychiatrist, dated 20 November 2020
[61] Dr Harden interviewed the respondent on 1 October 2020. He had previously
examined the respondent in July 2018.
[62] Dr Harden had administered, in 2018, a number of risk assessment instruments and the
effluxion of time had not altered the outcomes that were then obtained. On the
STATIC-99R, the respondent achieved a score of 7, which placed him in the high or
well above average category relative to other adult male sex offenders. On the Stable-
2007, the respondent was placed in the high needs group. The respondent scored
highly in the areas of capacity for relationship stability, lack of concern for others,
impulsivity, poor problem solving skills, possible deviant sexual preference and
cooperation with supervision. On the Sex Offender Risk Appraisal Guide, the
respondent achieved a score of 32, which Dr Harden described as a “very high score”,
placing him in category 9. People in this category, in the study populations, had a
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100% chance of violent reoffending over seven years. On the Hare Psychopathy
Checklist, the respondent achieved a score of 28.4, which was close to the arbitrary
cut off of 30, regarded as necessary for a diagnosis of psychopathy to be made. On
the SVR-20, the respondent was placed in the medium to high risk category on this
measure of sexual violence risk.
[63] Dr Harden considered that the respondent met the diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of
alcohol and polysubstance abuse, in remission due to intoxication. Further, he met the
diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of personality disorder, not otherwise specified, with
mixed features. And there was some evidence of psychopathy.
[64] The respondent also demonstrated a preference for post-pubertal males giving rise to
a diagnosis of hebephilia.
[65] Dr Harden considered the respondent’s future risk of sexual reoffending is high, or
well above average, in the absence of a supervision order.
[66] Dr Harden considered the respondent’s risk factors are his preference for early to mid-
adolescent post-pubertal boys, his severe personality disorder and his substance abuse.
Supervision, and intervention consistent with a supervision order, would reduce the
risk posed by the respondent to “low to moderate” by decreasing the capacity for the
use of substances and contact with young people.
[67] Dr Harden recommended that the respondent be required to be abstinent from alcohol.
Further the respondent should undertake individual psychological therapy to further
reduce his treatment needs. He should undertake community based group treatment,
if this is practical, given his severe personality disorder and learning issues. The
respondent should have no unsupervised contact with males under the age of 16.
[68] In his written report, Dr Harden recommended that, if the respondent were released
from custody, he ought be placed on a supervision order for a period of seven to 10
years. Two of the risk factors being his personality disorder and hebephilia were likely
to slow the reduction in any risk. In evidence before me, he said, in effect, that it
would be sufficient were the order in place for seven years. (He explained that were
it not for the respondent’s personality disorder and hebephilia, the expectation would
be a sufficient reduction in risk after five years. Things were further complicated for
the respondent by his mild learning and cognitive issues.)
Other evidence
[69] Affidavits by Ms Niclaire Byrne, and Acting Manager in the Offender Intervention
Unit of Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) were in evidence. Ms Byrne explained
that whilst the MISOP was available in a community setting (as well as in a custodial
setting) QCS did not consider the respondent a suitable candidate for it, either in
custody or in the community. She explained that the MISOP would not address the
respondent’s level of risk, or need.
[70] In his affidavit, Mr Daniel Bear, the Acting Manager of the High Risk Offender
Management Unit within QCS explained that, in terms of suitable accommodation,
there was likely to be a place available on a temporary basis at the Wacol Precinct.
Also, he had made enquiries of Dr Oertel, who is willing to re-engage with the
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respondent and provide treatment to him if he is released on a supervision order. QCS
would liaise with her (indeed, with any psychologist treating the respondent) about the
nature and effectiveness of the treatment. QCS would also consider referrals to
ATODS or another relevant service for the purposes of addressing the respondent’s
misuse of alcohol or other drugs.
Consideration of evidence
[71] The reason for the respondent’s detention in 2018 was treatment. It was expected that
he would undertake a High Intensity Sexual Offender Treatment Program. To his
credit, the respondent endeavoured to undertake HISOP but was unable to complete it.
[72] However, the respondent’s severe mixed personality disorder and social anxiety
disorder conspired to prevent him from absorbing the contents of the program and
interfered in his engagement with it. He struggled in groups. Further, his difficulties
were compounded, as Dr Sundin observed, by the respondent’s attentional deficits and
learning difficulties.
[73] Under the one-on-one treatment of Ms Jacks and Dr Oertel, the respondent appears to
have done, clinically, better. Indeed, his one-on-one treatment with Dr Oertel was the
first time his vulnerable personality structure had been addressed. One would hope,
with further treatment, the respondent would settle more comfortably into himself so
as to be able to identify his own risk factors and his own dependency issues (which
contributed to this offending).
[74] In that context, both psychiatrists consider that the risk posed by the respondent to the
community is able to be reduced to at least a “low to moderate” or “moderate” level,
by way of his release on supervision, primarily by preventing his access to potential
victims and by way of the provision of appropriate psychological treatment.
[75] In my view, adopting such a means to reduce risk is appropriate, in the sense that I am
persuaded on the evidence that the constraints of a supervision order will achieve
adequate protection of the community, particularly when the respondent will also be
required to participate in one-on-one individual counselling.
[76] Indeed, whilst undertaking psychological treatment, the respondent’s movement
within the community can be constrained by means of curfews, so that the
consequences of any emotional dysregulation, caused by such treatments, do not give
rise to any manifestation of risk.
[77] Drs Sundin and Harden are of the view that the supervision order ought to be in place
for seven years. After that time, assuming compliance with it, it could be expected
that the respondent would have matured and settled and, I infer, established a well-
understood relapse prevention plan.
[78] Whilst infringement of the respondent’s liberties ought to be for no longer than is
necessary, the paramount concern when fixing the duration of the order is to ensure
the adequate protection of the community. The risk, in this case, is largely fuelled by
the respondent’s own personality characteristics. These are permanent features and
would ameliorate only slowly with the effluxion of time. The respondent is also
relatively young. A seven year order will expire when the respondent is almost 40. It
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is to be hoped that by that age, his vulnerable personality will have stablised. And of
course, the applicant has available to her the regime under Division 4A of the Act to
apply to extend the supervision order if necessary.
[79] A draft order was provided to the Court at the hearing (exhibit A for identification).
[80] I consider it appropriate to make an order in terms of the draft, subject to the following
–
to enhance clarity and ease of understanding, the exception contained in clause
6(e) has been removed from 6(e) and incorporated in the definition of
“reasonable direction”;
clause 10 is to remain: on the evidence, the commission by the respondent of an
indictable offence would likely indicate a significant change in the respondent’s
behaviour such as to indicate emotional dysregulation, which would warrant a
re-assessment of his risk;
to ensure that clauses 22 and 23 achieve their intended purpose, they have been
amended so as to require the respondent to seek written permission from a
corrective services officer before first accessing the internet; and to then, within
24 hours of receiving that permission, provide the information listed in clause
23 to a corrective services officer, so as to enable monitoring of the respondent’s
internet access;
for clarity, clause 29 is to include “bottleshops” in the list of places the
respondent may not attend without written permission;
for clarity, clause 30 is to be deleted;
the nature of the respondent’s risk means that clauses 43 (b), (c) and (d), 44 and
45 are not necessary;
the nature of the respondent’s risk means that it is unnecessary to include in his
order a prohibition upon his accessing adult pornography.
[81] Accordingly, I will make an order for the respondent’s release, under supervision and
on the conditions contained in the attached order.
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SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND
REGISTRY: Brisbane
NUMBER: BS 10200/18
Applicant ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF
QUEENSLAND
AND
Respondent [FJA]
ORDER
Before: Justice Ryan
Date: 1 December 2020
Initiating document: Application filed 9 October 2020 [CFI 32]
1. Pursuant to s 30 of the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (“the Act”),
the decision made on 6 December 2018, that the respondent is a serious danger to the
community in the absence of a division 3 order, be affirmed.
2. Pursuant to s 30(5) of the Act, the continuing detention order made on 6 December
2018 be rescinded.
3. Pursuant to s 30(3)(b) of the Act, the respondent be released from custody subject to a
supervision order for a period of 7 years until 30 November 2027, with the following
requirements.
TO [FJA]:
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 7 years.
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Reporting
4. On the day you are released from prison, 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;
d) who you may and may not have contact with; and
e) anything else.
A “reasonable direction” is an instruction about what you must do, or what you must
not do, that is reasonable in that situation. An instruction that means that you will
break the rules of this supervision order is not a “reasonable direction”.
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.
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No offences
9. You must not break the law by committing a sexual offence.
10. You must not break the law by committing an indictable offence.
Where you must live
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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
14. 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
15. A corrective services officer has power to tell you to:
a) wear a device that tracks your location; and
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
16. You must get written permission from a corrective services officer before you are
allowed to start a job, start studying or start volunteer work.
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17. 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.
18. If a corrective services officer tells you to stop working or studying you must obey
what they tell you.
Motor vehicles
19. 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
20. You are only allowed to own, have or use (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, have or use within
24 hours of when you get the phone.
21. You must give a corrective services officer all passwords and passcodes for any
mobile phones you own, have or use. You must let a corrective services officer look
at the phone and everything on the phone.
Computers and internet
22. You must get written permission from a corrective services officer before you use a
computer, phone or other device to access the internet for the first time after your
release from custody.
23. 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 hours of
receiving written permission to access the internet using the computer, phone or
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other device. You must let a corrective services officer look at the computer, phone
or other device and everything on it.
24. 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
25. 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
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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, spit (saliva), pee (urine) or blood when they tell you
to do this.
29. You are not allowed to go to pubs, clubs, hotels, nightclubs or bottleshops 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
30. 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.
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31. 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
32. You must obey any direction a corrective services officer gives you about seeing a
doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or other counsellor.
33. You must obey any direction a corrective services officer gives you about
participating in any treatment or rehabilitation program.
34. 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
35. Each week, you must talk to a corrective services officer about what you plan to do
that week. A corrective services officer will tell you how to do this (for example,
face to face or in writing).
36. You must also tell a corrective services officer the name of new persons you have
met.
This includes: people who you spend time with, work with, make friends with, see
or speak to (including by using social media or the internet) regularly.
37. 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
38. 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.
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“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.
39. 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.
40. 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.
41. 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).
42. You must not:
a) attend any school or childcare centre;
b) join any club or organisation in which children are involved;
c) 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.
43. 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.
44. You must advise your case manager of any personal relationships you have started.
Signed:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Registrar of the Brisbane Supreme Court
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Official source: https://www.sclqld.org.au/caselaw/QSC/2020/359