Attorney-General v Jackway [2017] QSC 67
SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND
CITATION: Attorney-General (Qld) v Jackway [2017] QSC 67
PARTIES: ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF
QUEENSLAND
(applicant)
v
DOUGLAS BRIAN JACKWAY
(respondent)
FILE NO/S: BS 7422 of 2011
DIVISION: Trial Division
PROCEEDING: Application
DELIVERED ON: 22 May 2017
DELIVERED AT: Brisbane
HEARING DATE: 18 April 2017
JUDGE: Brown J
ORDER: The Court affirms the decision of Acting Justice O’Brien
made on 28 February 2012 that the respondent, Douglas
Brian Jackway, is a serious danger to the community in the
absence of an order pursuant to Division 3, Part 2 of the
Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 and
orders that:
1. The respondent, Douglas Brian Jackway, continue
to be subject to the continuing detention order made
on 28 February 2012.
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 is
detained under a continuing detention order under the
Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) –
where the applicant applied for the order to be reaffirmed
under section 30 of the Act – where the respondent’s treating
forensic psychologist opines that the respondent is
demonstrating positive behaviour, despite having taken illicit
substances in 2016 – where reporting psychiatrists both opined
that if the respondent were released on a supervision order
there would be a moderate chance of reoffending, and this
could increase to high if the respondent took illicit substances
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or was experiencing stressors – whether the respondent should
remain under the Continuing Detention Order under the Act
Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld), s
16, s 27, s 29, s 30(3)(a), s 30(4), s 33
AG v Fardon [2011] QCA 111, cited
AG (Qld) v Jackway [2016] QSC 74, cited
AG (Qld) v Lawrence [2009] QCA 136, cited
AG v S [2015] QSC 157, cited
COUNSEL: J Rolls for the applicant
C Morgan for the respondent
SOLICITORS: Crown Law for the applicant
Legal Aid Queensland for the respondent
[1] BROWN J: This is an application pursuant to s 27 of the Dangerous Prisoners
(Sexual Offenders) Act 2003 (Qld) (“the Act”) for review of the continuing detention
of Douglas Brian Jackway, the respondent.1 The applicant seeks to have a decision
made on 28 February 2012, that the respondent presents a serious danger to the
community in the absence of an Order under Division 3 Order of the Act (Div 3
Order), affirmed and further that the respondent continue to be subject to a Continuing
Detention Order pursuant to s 30(3)(a) of the Act.
[2] There is no contest by Mr Jackway’s counsel that there is acceptable cogent evidence
which would satisfy the court to the requisite standard that the respondent is a serious
danger to the community in the absence of a Div 3 of the Act and that the decision of
O’Brien AJ of 28 February 2012 ought to be affirmed. That concession is clearly a
proper one on the basis of the evidence before the court.
[3] The respondent is a man of 40 years of age. He has a history of substance and alcohol
abuse. This is his fourth review of a Continuing Detention Order.
[4] The real dispute is as to what, if any, is the appropriate order to be made by the Court
in terms of a Continuing Detention Order or a Supervision Order. The applicant
contends that Mr Jackway should continue to be subject to a Continuing Detention
Order whereas Mr Jackway’s counsel contend that he should be released from custody
under a supervision order.
Background
[5] Mr Jackway has a significant criminal history. In terms of the present review
however, the relevant offences are one of rape that he committed against a female
child in 1991 when he was 14 years old and a series of offences against a male child
committed in 1995 when he was 18 years old.
[6] While both offences are obviously serious ones, it is the offence committed when he
was an 18 year old which is more significant in terms of indicating the risk presently
posed by the respondent to the community in the absence of a Div 3 Order. The
offences in relation to that matter were assault occasioning bodily harm; taking a child
1 This judgment refers to Mr Jackway and the respondent interchangeably.
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for immoral purposes with a circumstance of aggravation, three counts of indecent
dealing with a child under 12; and two counts of attempted carnal knowledge by anal
intercourse of a child under 12.
[7] Mr Jackway had had a falling out with family members and had taken off in a vehicle.
He was in a highly intoxicated state from alcohol and drug use when he saw three
boys. He approached the young boys riding bicycles under the guise of asking for
directions. After punching one boy, he manhandled another into his vehicle, drove a
short distance, collided his car with a bridge and took the boy into a mangrove. He
then stripped the boy, assaulted him, threatened the boy, and performed sexual acts
upon him. As he had been observed by a witness taking the boy, the police found Mr
Jackway at the time that he was about to commit the offence of anal intercourse. He
was sentenced to eight years imprisonment and not released until 2003. Having been
released he then returned to prison on remand in January 2004. In that interim period
he had not committed any sexual offences but he had stolen a motor vehicle and had
also committed the offences of dangerous driving, stealing, and wilful damage. He
was sentenced for those offences at the same time he was dealt with for the 1991 rape.
In 2005 he received a total term of imprisonment of seven years.
[8] But for three or four months Mr Jackway has been in prison for his entire adult life.
Mr Jackway’s conduct has changed for the better since the time that the matter came
before O’Brien AJ in February 2012. He has now been in prison for some 22 years.
[9] In the review of December 2013, Daubney J noted:
“I cannot avoid giving heed to the concern expressed by both
psychiatrists that a relapse by the respondent into drug and alcohol
use or catapult into a high risk of sexual offence category. Despite
the obvious and welcomed improvements in his situation since the
time he was made subject to a Continuing Detention Order, I am not
satisfied that he is yet at the stage where he is sufficiently able to
manage the risk of exposure to drugs and alcohol and otherwise
manage his violent behaviour. That necessarily leads to my
conclusion that he is not at the stage where I can be satisfied that, if
released under a supervision order, adequate protection of the
community could reasonably and practicably be managed by a
supervision order. If released on a supervision order, he is not in
custody. I am not satisfied that he yet has the personal skills to ensure
ongoing abstinence from drugs and alcohol, which as I have already
noted on several occasions, present on the common evidence as the
trigger for him presenting a high risk of sexual offence.”
[10] In a review on 9 February 2015,2 Mullins J was not satisfied by the psychiatric
evidence that adequate protection of the community could be reasonably and
practicably managed by a supervision order. Her Honour noted, in particular, that he
had not completed the Pathways course that was indicated when he was last before
the court and that his behaviour in prison in the last 12 months was a relevant and
different factor than his behaviour in the period leading up to the hearing before
Daubney J. In that regard and while her Honour noted that Mr Jackway had been
2 AG for State of Qld v Jackway [2015] QSC 26.
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subject to various stressors in that 12 months and particularly had been wrongly
accused by another offender of murder, her Honour stated that:
“The fact that he has behaved with aggression and impulsivity in the
prison environment, because of stressors for whatever reason, I
consider it is a relevant factual matter to take into account in assessing
the risks of re-offending outside the prison environment, if Mr
Jackway were released on a supervision order.”
[11] Holmes CJ reviewed the matter in 2016. By that stage Mr Jackway had completed the
Pathways program, however a number of incidents had occurred during 2016 while
in prison. In particular her Honour concluded that having taken into account that Mr
Jackway’s last sexual offence was 20 years ago:
“[21] The question is whether a supervision order can effect
adequate protection of the community against the risk which
the psychiatrists identify. I cannot be satisfied that it would, in
light of Mr Jackway’s inability to control his impulsive
behaviours, even when it was so clearly in his interest to do so.
It should be said that he has demonstrated considerable
motivation to cooperate by undertaking appropriate courses
and receiving assistance from Mr Smith; but he has not, to
date, been able to consistently put what he has learned into
practice. His acceptance of a ‘shot’ while still on the Pathways
programme illustrates the gap between his ability to recognise
strategies he should use in dealing with situations of risk and
his ability to apply them. One could almost suspect that the
events of February were a form of self-sabotage; but whatever
the reason for Mr Jackway’s behaviour then, it augurs very
badly for the prospects of a supervision order’s being effective.
As Dr Grant said, such orders can work well, but not when the
individual concerned does not have the capacity to control his
impulses.
[22] The statute does not mandate an absolute guarantee of
protection, of course, but in light of Mr Jackway’s recent
history, one could have no confidence that he would not give
way to irrational and impulsive behaviour, resulting in
absconding and/or drug or alcohol use, with the outcome being
further sexual offending. That could occur quite quickly and
without sufficient warning to prevent it, notwithstanding the
constraints of a supervision order.
[23] That is not to say that Mr Jackway might not in the future be
able to demonstrate a level of stability which could give
greater confidence about his ability to comply with a
supervision order. Certainly his involvement with Mr Smith
appears to have been beneficial and I would recommend that
Corrective Services both ensure that he has regular sessions
with Mr Smith (ideally, fortnightly) and give Mr Smith access
to Mr Jackway’s conduct records, so that he has a full
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appreciation of what he is dealing with. Mr Jackway should
also be given the opportunity, if he wishes, to try a course of
anti-depressants, which might have a stabilising effect. But for
the present, I am not satisfied that adequate protection of the
community can be reasonably and practicably managed by a
supervision order.
[24] Accordingly, I affirm the decision of Acting Justice O’Brien
made on 28 February 2012 that Mr Jackway is a serious danger
to the community in the absence of a Division 3 Order and I
order that Mr Jackway continue to be subject to the continuing
detention order made by Acting Justice O’Brien.”3
[12] The submissions of Mr Jackway has continued to show some improvement and signs
that his judgment and level of insight are increasing. The question however is whether
on the evidence I am satisfied that adequate protection of the community against the
risks identified by psychiatrists can be ensured by a supervision order.
Legal Framework
[13] The submissions of the respondent’s counsel adopted the summary of the law in the
applicant’s submission at [19] – [33].
[14] The application for review is governed by s 30 of the Act. It provides, inter alia, that
the court may affirm the decision that a prisoner is a serious danger to the community
in the absence of a Div 3 Order, only if it is satisfied by acceptable cogent evidence
and to a high degree of culpability that the evidence is of sufficient weight to affirm
the decision.
[15] In relation to such a review, arrangements must be made for the respondent to be
examined by two psychiatrists.4 In the present case, reports have been provided by
Dr Grant and Dr Aboud.
[16] Relevantly the definition of “serious danger to the community” requires that there
must be an unacceptable risk that the prisoner will commit a serious sexual offence5
if released at all, or if released without a supervision order.
[17] The term “unacceptable risk” is incapable of precise definition but requires the
striking of a balance. The relevant risk is the risk of commission of serious sexual
offences. The risk means the possibility, chance or likelihood of commission of such
an offence. An unacceptable risk is a risk which does not ensure adequate protection
of the community.
[18] In determining the decision ought to be affirmed under s 30 of the Act, the factors
mentioned in s 13(4) of the Act must be considered.
3 AG (Qld) v Jackway [2016] QSC 74.
4 See s 29(1) of the Act.
5 “Serious sexual offence” is defined in the Schedule of the Act: the offence must be of a sexual nature
with the added requirement that it either involve violence or an offence against children.
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[19] If the court, on a review hearing, affirms the decision that the prisoner is a serious
danger to the community in the absence of a Div 3 Order, then the discretion granted
by s 30(3) is enlivened.
[20] Once the Court’s discretion is enlivened, the court may then order that the prisoner
continue to be subject to the Continuing Detention Order or be released from custody
subject to a supervision order. The onus lies on the applicant to satisfy the court that
a Continuing Detention Order should be made. The starting point is the consideration
of whether a supervision order can ensure adequate protection of the community.
[21] The paramount consideration under s 30(4) of the Act is the need to ensure the
adequate protection of the community in deciding what the appropriate order is to
make. That requires the Court to consider whether adequate protection of the
community can be reasonably and practicably managed by a supervision order and
the requirements under s 16 can be reasonably and practicably managed by corrective
service officers.
[22] That does not require the court to be satisfied that there is some absolute guarantee of
protection. Ultimately however it must be open for the court to conclude that a
“supervision order would be efficacious in constraining the respondent’s behaviour
by preventing the opportunity for the commission of sexual offences.”6
[23] In Attorney-General (Qld) v S7 the court stated that in determining whether the
community could be adequately protected only by a continuing detention order
required the court to consider the nature and extent of the risk as well as the potential
consequences of that risk eventuating, in order to assess whether the risk is
acceptable, in the sense of providing adequate protection to the community. That risk
has content not only from what was found as a fact about the respondent, which
constitutes a real danger to the community.
Psychiatric evidence
[24] Two reports were obtained and prepared pursuant to s 29 of the Act by Dr Grant and
Dr Aboud. Nicholas Smith, the respondent’s treating forensic psychologist, also has
provided two reports. The respondent accepts the summary of the expert evidence in
the applicant’s submissions at [34] to [115] is accurate. Having given leave to read
and file both the submissions of the applicant and the respondent, I will not repeat at
length the submissions made in those paragraphs.
Mr Smith
[25] According to Mr Smith’s report and further report, Mr Jackway has continued to
demonstrate positive engagement and an increasing willingness to reflect on his
thoughts and behaviours. He has described ongoing positive experiences with
custodial staff despite difficulties that he experienced in 2016. He reports that Mr
Jackway has spoken a number of times about maintaining the long view and keeping
his focus on returning to the community and how this focus has assisted him to see
past his immediate situation and respond to challenges more appropriately on a
6 See AG v Fardon [2011] QCA 111 at [29] per Chesterman JA.
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number of occasions. He noted that Mr Jackway has completed the High Intensity
Sexual Offending Program and the Pathways program in recent years and has also
engaged with fortnightly psychological appointments with the aim of improving his
emotional and behavioural regulation prior to a possible release on a supervision
order.
[26] Mr Smith noted that Mr Jackway’s ongoing risk of violence needs to be managed and
monitored closely by all involved in the supervision and care and consideration for
his substantial degree of institutionalisation and the impact of early, violent and
traumatic experiences on his personality and his capacity to appropriately regulate
both his emotions and his behaviour. He indicated that over the 2016 year Mr
Jackway had continued to report an increased level of behavioural control and better
management of emotional responses to frustration. He remains in active engagement
in psychological intervention and he has demonstrated continuing improvements to
his level of mood stability as well as describing significant improved responses to the
challenges of custodial life.
[27] In September 2016 Mr Jackway took methylamphetamines having been offered the
substance repeatedly by another prisoner. The following day he refused to provide a
urine sample due to the likelihood it would return positive results. According to Mr
Smith Mr Jackway had acknowledged the use of methylamphetamines was a poor
decision but failed to concede the consequences of using the substance. Mr Jackway
had stated that he had other opportunities to use such a substance but had chosen not
to.
Dr Grant
[28] Dr Grant has seen Mr Jackway on a number of occasions and provided reports dated
5 November 2010, 27 November 2013, 3 December 2012, 19 October 2014 and 2
March 2016. As such Dr Grant has had the benefit of observing Mr Jackway’s
behaviour over a period of time.
[29] Dr Grant interviewed Mr Jackway as well as receiving his prison file. He provided a
report dated 14 February 2017.
[30] Consistent with his previous reports, Dr Grant diagnosed the respondent as having a
severe anti-social personality. Using the psychopathic checklist he qualifies as
suffering from a psychopathic personality. That anti-social and psychopathic
personality is demonstrated by a very poor ability to empathise with others and over
the years he has tended to show little remorse for his offending behaviour. While he
noted the possibility that the respondent suffers from a sexual paraphilia specifically
paedophilia and sadism, he considers that it is impossible to make such a diagnosis
on the available evidence. Dr Grant considered it was more likely that the
respondent’s sexual offences were motivated by his severe personality disorder, his
impulsivity, his reactions to his own sexual abuse, and was facilitated by substance
abuse and intoxication which was particularly evident in relation to the most severe
offence of abduction and assault of the young boy.
[31] He noted that Mr Jackway has had a number of behavioural problems throughout his
life and was also the subject of sexual abuse according to the respondent. He has a
history of serious problems with abuse of alcohol, illicit drugs and prescribed
medications. Alcohol and drugs has always tended to make him more aggressive and
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disinhibited and more likely to indulge in offending behaviour. Dr Grant noted that
in recent years Mr Jackway’s abuse of illicit or prescribed medications in custody
appears to have been much less of a problem. In December 2015 he was breached
for the alleged misuse of slow release morphine given to him on his birthday. He
admitted to Dr Grant to having tried the drug commonly known as ‘ice’ in September
2016 and said that he was curious to see what it was like.
[32] Dr Grant noted that there has been a violation history for the period of 22 March to
12 October 2016. In particular, there was an incident involving verbal assault by the
respondent on another inmate who had abused him with names such as “dog”, but no
violence ultimately occurred.
[33] On 4 August 2016 he was subject to a breach for damaging prison property which
occurred when a search of the cell found a torn pillow. Mr Jackway indicated that
the breach was thrown out because he claimed the pillow belonged to his cell mate.
[34] On 9 September 2016 Mr Jackway failed to provide a urine sample for drug testing.
That resulted in a major breach which followed his use of ice. As a result of that
breach he was transferred to Unit S7 in the Detention Unit. The most recent incident
was on 25 January 2017 when he became engaged in a physical altercation with
another offender in the S7 exercise yard. In that case, the other prisoner produced a
shiv and Mr Jackway grabbed a mop bucket to separate himself from the other
prisoners and the other prisoner then produced a broom stick and hit Mr Jackway a
couple of times. Mr Jackway did not receive any further punishment as a result of
the incident with the other inmate being transferred to the Maximum Security Unit.
[35] When transferred to Secure Unit 4, over his objection after spending time in the
Detention Unit, the respondent in November 2016 threatened to smash his cell and
made threats to staff and was physically restrained in that Unit, but that later was
resolved peacefully. He was subsequently moved to S3 on a Safety Order before
eventually being transferred to his current Unit in S7, which he had expressed a
preference to be placed in. The reports while he has been in S7 have indicated that
he has been cooperative and that he has been employed as a cleaner and painter. In
relation to his employment as a painter that is a position which requires him to use
certain tools and as such is a recognition of the increasing trust being placed in him.
Mr Jackway has indicated that he is getting satisfaction from the work he is doing. Dr
Grant noted the majority of notes of the respondent’s behaviour reflected actual good
behaviour and polite attitudes to officers.
[36] Dr Grant opined that the incident of the use of ice indicates the ongoing vulnerability
of Mr Jackway to give into the temptation to use drugs. Mr Jackway himself noted
that staying away from future drug use was a major issue for him and indicated his
method for dealing with the risk was to say no. Mr Jackway noted thatthe
consequences of drug use if released were far greater than in jail. Dr Grant indicated
Mr Jackway’s response is not terribly reassuring because the evidence says he is yet
to learn in a consistent way to say no and resist that temptation.8
[37] Dr Grant indicated following his interview and in terms of his mental status
examination Mr Jackway seemed to have a degree of insight into the risks that would
present if he were to leave prison and be around drug use.
8 T1-26 l 4-5.
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[38] Dr Grant noted that intoxication was very relevant for his general offending and very
relevant for the offence against the young boy. He indicated that there continues to
be an underlying vulnerability to relapse into substance abuse despite having
treatment with the Pathways course. In cross-examination, Dr Grant agreed that it
was not uncommon for people who have had additions to have lapsed and to still
avoid falling into a period of addiction. While that may be so, the fact remains that
alcohol and drugs are one of the significant triggers which could give rise to his
reoffending and committing a serious sexual offence.
[39] According to Dr Grant risk assessment instruments put the respondent into high risk
of future sexual offending. His assessment on the Static-99R was reduced to 9 down
from 10 given his increasing age. He stated that that risk has been modified to some
extent by a number of factors:
(a) firstly, he has served some 22 years in custody and he is now aged 40;
(b) it is in middle life that people with severe anti-social personality disorder begin
to settle in terms of covert aggression and anti-social behaviour. There is
evidence that such a settling process is beginning to occur;
(c) his satisfactory completion of the HISOP and the Pathways courses and
satisfactory engagement in individual psychological therapy with Mr Smith
indicate that he is gradually increasing his understanding of his risk factors, his
impulsivity, his affective dyscontrol, in the past. This has enabled the
development of insights, and strategies into how to avoid becoming involved in
aggressive confrontations leading to violence;
(d) he at least has an intellectual understanding of the risks with abusing substances
in disinhibiting his behaviour in producing a greater likelihood of violence and
sexual offending; and
(e) his sexual drive appears to have reduced to a considerable degree but that could
increase after his release into the community when different stimulation or
opportunities present themselves.
[40] Dr Grant indicates that Mr Jackway’s main risk factors continue to be his severe
personality disorder with anti-social traits, immaturity, poor problem solving, poor
decision making and the lack of respect for authority and social mores. He indicates
that there is no doubt that problems with impulsivity, emotional control and a lack of
trust in others will persist and will need to be a constant source of focus for the
respondent and those trying to assist him to rehabilitate. When under stress or
provocation he is more likely to act in an anti-social manner or on impulse. In that
regard given the period of his incarceration Dr Grant considers that the respondent is
likely to find significant frustrations and stressors during that reintegration process.
[41] He considers that drug and alcohol abuse remain a major risk factor in combination
with his personality disorder. He states that if he becomes intoxicated with drugs
such as methylamphetamines or alcohol that is likely to reduce inhibition and impair
judgment and could produce offending behaviour. Dr Grant also indicated that
institutionalisation is clearly a problem for the respondent and going into the
community will mean a significant adaptation on his behalf and will take time, effort,
and a lot of assistance to help him with that. He considers that when Mr Jackway is
released that he would benefit from undergoing a sexual offender maintenance
program in the community and also a drug and alcohol maintenance program.
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[42] Dr Grant considers that the risks presented by the respondent in terms of sexual re-
offending are probably at a moderate level being reduced from the high level by the
dynamic factors which he had identified. That moderate level of risk will be
maintained if he is able to stay absent from alcohol and drugs and take advantage of
therapy and supervision in the community. However if he were to resume alcohol
and drug abuse and remove himself from the support of therapists or supervisors then
the risk of further decompensation and sexual reoffending could rise to a high level.
[43] Dr Grant considered that a supervision order would have the potential to contain the
respondent’s risk of future sexual offending at a moderate level and that there are
some indications that the respondent’s ability to cooperate with a supervision order
has improved since he has undergone group treatment programs and individual
therapy. He made various recommendations as to the terms of any supervision order
if one was to be made. Dr Grant noted that there is quite a significant risk of breach
by the respondent under a supervision order in particular non-sexual violent
offending. He anticipates that under a supervision order a supervisor would likely
detect a relapse into drug abuse at an early stage before sexual offending reoccurred.
[44] In oral evidence, Dr Grant indicated that the respondent’s conduct in taking ice
indicates that he has yet to learn in a consistent way to say no to drugs and alcohol
and resist that temptation. If the respondent is in the community where drugs are
freely available he may well fall into the temptation of using them even when he is
not under stress, but particularly if he is under stress. In regards to the respondent’s
impulsivity he noted that the respondent’s last use of drugs was in circumstances
where he gave into an impulse, although he immediately saw that as being against his
interests and recognised that he did not fully contemplate the effects of that behaviour
on his future in terms of for example getting out of prison. He considers he still is
not all that good in recognising the consequences of his behaviour.9
[45] Dr Grant considers that the respondent had not planned to sexually assault the nine
year old boy and is of the opinion it happened because he was in a state of crisis and
emotional upset, was very angry and intoxicated and it was an impulsive action. He
noted that in that case of the offending, he had been taking drugs for some days or for
a period of time. Dr Grant’s view is that the respondent’s risk of reoffending from
drugs and alcohol would be more likely a build up over weeks rather than days, but it
was possible it could be days.
[46] Dr Grant agreed that there was considerable validity to the view expressed by Dr
Aboud that the respondent could not be successfully managed in the community until
he demonstrated a period of time in custody where he was able to cope with stressors
in jail.
[47] Dr Grant expressed the view that the fact that the respondent had gone to the
Detention Unit to escape difficulties was a symptom of his difficulties with
impulsivity and control. He considers it was a reflection of the respondent’s own
difficulties in controlling himself and wanting to feel safe from his own feelings. It
was also a reflection of the particular stressors that he might be under because of
threats he has in the prison environment. In response to the proposition that although
the respondent has improved he still hasn’t reached a stage where he can be confident
9 T1-26 l 19-20.
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that he can be managed on a supervision order without an extended period of blame
free breaching, Dr Grant stated that:
“Ideally I’d like to see an extended period of good functioning,
both interpersonal functioning and institutional functioning and
work functioning, over a period of time, such as 12 months to
demonstrate that he has the level of control and management of
his own impulses and effects.”10
[48] Dr Grant indicated that at present he did not have confidence that the respondent
would be able to live comfortably within the restraints of a supervision order without
breaching it in some way such as using drugs.11 Dr Grant further indicated that the
respondent was definitely on an upward trajectory but that he was not quite at the
point where Dr Grant could be confident that he would manage to stay breach free or
offence free if he was released presently on a supervision order.12
[49] In cross-examination he considered that a supervision order had a good chance of
detecting any relapse into drug use and hopefully any lapse into emotional instability
but that would depend on his honesty and openness with his supervisor.
[50] In response to a question as to whether a supervision order would be efficacious in
preventing any serious sexual offending by the respondent Dr Grant considers that
there is a high risk the respondent will find it difficult to live within the boundaries of
the supervision order at this stage.13
[51] In Dr Grant’s view he considered that the risk would be significantly reduced if he
was wanting to obey the order, and did in fact obey all of the conditions. While he
considered a breach of the order is most likely to be detected before any sexual re-
offending there is a risk it may all spiral out of control very quickly. He considers
the maintaining of the risk of reoffending to a moderate level would be predicated on
him actually obeying all the terms of any supervision order and not lapsing into drug
or alcohol abuse or other things.14
Dr Aboud
[52] Dr Aboud also gave evidence. He interviewed the respondent for the first time on 13
January 2017. He reviewed the respondent’s history including his criminal history,
educational and personal history. He noted that the respondent had a disrupted
childhood and was the victim of abuse. He particularly noted the respondent’s pattern
of anti-authoritarian behaviour both growing up and while incarcerated and his long
history of drug abuse since a young age.
[53] Dr Aboud expressed the view that the respondent suffers from an anti-social
personality disorder with probable psychopathic traits. He considered that he had
some emotionally unstable personality traits which are more pronounced when he is
experiencing psychosocial stress such as interpersonal conflict, personal or social
instability. At those times, there is a high risk of the respondent using alcohol or
10 T1-31, l 45-47-T1-31, l 1-2.
11 T1-32, l 29-31.
12 T1-33, l 4 & 1 14.
13 T26-45-46 and 1-37 1-2.
14 T1-39/16-19.
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substances as a means for coping with his emotions. Dr Aboud does not believe that
the respondent suffers from paraphilia of sexual sadism. He is unsure whether the
respondent meets the criteria for a diagnosis of paedophilia. He considers however it
is likely that he harbours an underlying paedophilic drive. Dr Grant considered that
was a risk but did not diagnose it as such.
[54] He considered that there were two pathways in which the respondent might reoffend.
First, it is possible that the respondent will opportunistically attempt to coerce a
vulnerable female into sexual activity, who may be a child or someone who is
otherwise vulnerable. Secondly, on account of his likely related homosexual
paedophilic drive, the respondent would be at risk of assaulting a male child in the
context of disinhibition or psychological stress.
[55] Dr Aboud considered that the respondent’s overall risk to be high in respect of sexual
violence and general violence. In reaching this conclusion he particularly drew upon
certain aspects of the respondent’s offending behaviour including his antisocial and
borderline personality structure, his psychopathic traits, his significant alcohol and
substance abuse and his underlying anger issues. He also noted the results of the
actuarial assessments indicated that the respondent was high risk.15
[56] He considered that it is of great concern that the respondent engaged in substance
misuse while subject to a detention order and in the process of undertaking the
Pathways Substance Abuse Program. He also considered that it was of significant
concern that the respondent chose to cease the recommended antidepressant
medication since that may reduce the high levels of the respondent’s impulsivity. He
accepted the fact that the respondent had suffered the side effects that arose from the
particular antidepressant medication. He considered that the respondent could have
explored alternative drugs without such side effects. Dr Grant did not express the
same level of concern as Dr Aboud in that regard. He indicated the use of the
medication was simply as a trial of an extra method of helping him control
impulsivity.16 He noted that his impulsivity has been gradually improving over time.
[57] Dr Aboud considered that while it was evident that there had been some
improvements in relation to the respondent’s general behaviour in prison, there
remained clear examples within the last year of violent behaviour in terms of issuing
threats and property damage as well as substance abuse.
[58] While Dr Aboud considers that there is evidence of gradual personality maturation,
he considers that there is still evidence of ongoing emotionally unstable impulsive
and challenging behaviour.
[59] Dr Aboud considers in the context of the supervision order the risk of reoffending
sexually would reduce to moderate. However presently he is not confident that the
respondent would comply with an order. He considers that given the respondent’s
personality traits and impulsivity, that the respondent’s progression from stressful
situations outcomes could be rapid. He stated that to be confident that the respondent
would be successfully managed under a supervision order, it was necessary to see
behavioural evidence that the respondent can manage his various stressors
appropriately within the prison environment. In that regard, he considered that it was
15 In cross-examination he accepted that these assessments give probabilities of what happens in a
group T 1-17 l 34-35.
16 T1-33, 1 33.
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13
necessary for the respondent to demonstrate for a continuous 12 month period no
physically violent behaviour, no threat of violence to an officer or inmates and no
ingestion of contraband substances.
[60] Dr Aboud considers that the time spent in a Detention Unit would not usually inform
those observing the respondent as such environments are highly contained and
relatively devoid of stressors. While he agreed that any environment in prison was
an artificial environment, he considered that the environment in a detention unit is a
more contained one. He considered that the respondent seeking to remove himself
into such an environment was indicative of him seeking to remove himself from an
environment where he had to cope with various stressors. That was supported by the
entry in the prison file of 21 November 2016.17 While he also accepted that some
people adopt a strategy isolating themselves if there are people who wished them
harm, he stated that his real point, is that the present prison environment is not testing
the respondent out in terms of his interpersonal resilience and his ability to negotiate
difficulties.
[61] In cross-examination, he agreed that in terms of reoffending, the respondent would
likely have to be in a distressed state, have resorted to drugs rather than seeking
support to alleviate the distress and absconded effectively from supervision. He
considered however that the worrying scenario was that those things could happen
very quickly.18 While he accepted that the risk could be modified by the fact that he
would be wearing a tracking device, the respondent may be in a position where he did
not actually care that he was being tracked or could remove the tracking device.
People with anti-social personalities and who are emotionally unstable are such that
once there is a lapse, it can all unravel very quickly and they can polarise to a negative
place and cannot pull themselves back.
[62] Dr Aboud considered that the respondent believes he is coping very well with
stressors in prison but his subjective view is much more favourable than the objective
view which is evident from the IOMS records. He noted that the respondent is able
to project a very positive image. This particularly is demonstrated by the disconnect
in the respondent’s behaviour observed by one officer’s experience as opposed to his
involvement in a number of incidents which was noted in an officer’s entry of 3
January 2017 in the IOMS record. That disconnect between the face presented by
Mr Jackway which doesn’t appear to include a self- awareness of his responsibility
for anti-social conduct he engaged in is of significant concern in the context of
reasonably and adequately managing adequate protection of the community under a
supervision order.19
[63] Dr Aboud’s assessment is that the respondent would need to be successfully managed
for a period of 12 months in custody, before he could be confident that he could be
successfully managed under a supervision order. That would give confidence that he
could continue such pro-social behaviour in the community where he is far less
contained and in fact, far less controlled. Even though there is monitoring under a
supervision order it is nowhere near the monitoring and supervision in prison.
17 T1-12/36-45.
18 T1-20/1-2.
19 T1-14 l 23-25 and 41-45
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14
[64] He indicated however that the respondent needed to be assessed within reason. Any
assessment would need to be discerning about what is realistic and whether or not he
is the perpetrator of problematic behaviour given that he exists within a prison
environment.
[65] Dr Aboud pointed out however that all of the respondent’s behaviour cannot be
excused by being in prison. The respondent’s taking of an illicit drug was nothing
other than his choice.20 Dr Aboud considered until one saw a period of sustained
good choices by the respondent he could not be managed effectively outside under a
supervision order.21
Other matters
[66] Mr Jackway wrote a letter to the court of 16 April 2017 in which he indicated that he
is really trying to do the right thing with his behaviour in custody and acknowledged
he had made some poor decisions. He indicated he would abide by any order that his
release was made subject to and that he is not a risk to the community or to anyone.
In this regard he identified members of his family, his psychologist and the prison
fellowship as support people.
[67] I have also had regard to the affidavit of Ms Bambrick who provides copies of the
respondent’s prison file which were referred to by Dr Grant and Dr Aboud and the
affidavit of Mr Tannock, the acting manager of the High Risk Offender Management
Unit.
[68] Mr Tannock addresses the extent to which QCS can reasonably and practicably
administer a supervision regime for the respondent to afford adequate protection of
the community. In particular he noted the capacity of QCS to minimise an offender’s
risk to the community through the use of curfew is limited. He notes that GPS
tracking may not be effective where there is offending in a rapid and opportunistic
manner in a public place or other location where they have reasonable cause to be.
At present accommodation at Wacol is limited22 and only available to prisoners with
no suitable alternative accommodation. There are presently no beds available save
for a trundle bed in shared accommodation. It is not a secure facility. Offenders may
leave the facility in accordance with their order and mix in the general community.
While there is some initial support offered by QCS it does not provide an intensive
personal support program. He also deposes to the fact that the effectiveness of the
respondent’s compliance with illicit drug and alcohol requirements will depend on
the random nature of the system for regular testing being a sufficient motivation to
the respondent to maintain his abstinence. Testing is generally every few days. I note
the threat of testing proved not to act as a deterrent to Mr Jackway in September 2016,
nor the fact that his actions were against his own interests.
[69] Mr Tannock indicated that arrangements would be made to ensure the respondent had
continued treatment by Mr Smith.
Consideration
20 T1-15/5-7.
21 T1-15/11-12.
22 Which is where the respondent anticipates going if released.
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15
[70] The first question is whether the respondent is a serious danger to the community in
the absence of a Div 3 Order under the Act. I am satisfied to a high level of degree
of probability, that there is acceptable cogent evidence that has been presented to me,
particularly by way of psychiatric evidence considered above, that the respondent
continues to be a serious danger to the community in the absence of a Div 3 Order
under the Act having regard to the matters which I am required to consider.
[71] I am satisfied that the court should affirm the decision that the respondent is a serious
danger to the community in the absence of a Div 3 Order.
[72] Having affirmed the decision of this court of 12 February 2012 the question I have to
then consider is whether the court may make a supervision order or Continuing
Detention Order. In this regard the paramount consideration is whether adequate
protection of the community can be ensured by a supervision order. The applicant
contends it cannot and it carries the onus in that regard.23 The respondent contends
that the applicant has not discharged its onus. As the respondent points out the court
is not required to be satisfied that the arrangements under the supervision order are
“watertight”.
[73] A review of the previous decisions, medical evidence, prison file reports and the
present psychiatric evidence, particularly that of Dr Grant, who has had the benefit of
observing the respondent over a number of years indicates that the respondent
continues to improve his capacity to modify his behaviour. However, even with a
supervision order in place the psychiatric evidence is that the risk of reoffending is
only reduced to a moderate level.
[74] While I accept the evidence of both Dr Aboud and Dr Grant, Dr Grant has the
advantage of having had the opportunity to observe the respondent over a period of
time. In real terms however their evidence was relevantly not significantly different.
Both had a level of concern that the respondent would not comply with a supervision
order and a serious offence might be committed before his non-compliance was
detected. Dr Aboud considers that the respondent’s behaviour could spiral very
quickly into reoffending, if he engages in substances abuse, without the supervision
order being sufficient to constrain him. Dr Grant agreed that the respondent’s
behaviour could spiral out of control quickly and could occur in a number of days
although he thought it more likely it would occur in weeks.24 The impulsivity of his
actions would depend upon the extent to which he was spiralling out of emotional
control. Both Dr Aboud and Dr Grant considered that the respondent needed to
demonstrate that he could control his impulsivity and his response to the emotional
stressors for 12 months while in custody, in order for Mr Jackway to be successfully
managed in the community.25
[75] While Dr Aboud considered it would be ideal if the respondent could spend time in a
residential unit in order to see how he is coping with the everyday stresses, Dr Grant
didn’t appear to consider it was a necessary precondition to be satisfied he could cope
with the various stressors he may be exposed to, given the various threats which the
respondent faces, even though he agreed it was a more realistic environment.
23 AG (Qld) v Lawrence [2009] QCA 136; AG (Qld) v Francis [2007] 1 Qd R 396.
24 In which case, there was a higher chance of detection before reoffending.
25 T 1-30 l 29-30.
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[76] I accept that the detention is not an environment which necessarily provides a sound
indicator of how the respondent is able to manage his anti-social behaviour,
impulsivity and emotional instability, given it is a very regimented environment. I
consider in the present context, the more important factor in terms of whether
adequate protection of the community can be reasonably and practicably managed by
a supervision order is whether in such an environment the respondent is able to
conduct himself in a way which consistently implements the strategies he has been
developing to control his antisocial behaviour and impulsivity.26 While the number
of his violations have reduced, the fact he still succumbed to the offer to take drugs
and still responded with threats of violence27 when threatened and more particularly
threatened to smash his cell when placed in a unit he did not want to be in, indicate
he is unable to exercise control over his behaviour on a consistent basis.
[77] The view of Dr Grant that a period of 12 months where the respondent successfully
indicates he can control his anti-social and impulsive responses before one could be
confident that the respondent could be adequately managed under supervision order
is supported by the view of Dr Aboud. Good functioning, both interpersonal
functioning and institutional functioning and work functioning, would demonstrate
that he has a level of control and management of his own impulses such that one could
then be satisfied that he could be adequately managed under a supervision order. I
accept the force of that view.
[78] While I accept that a number of the incidents referred to were not matters instigated
by the respondent, his taking methylamphetamine to “see what it was like” in
September 2016 is a matter of significance given that he knew that his matter was
going to be reviewed for consideration as to whether the Continuing Detention Order
had to be continued or he could be released under a supervision order. He did so,
notwithstanding the court in 2016 had regard to the fact, inter alia, at the end of 2015
he took morphine on his birthday while still undertaking the Pathways program. That
indicates he still is not able to consistently control his impulsivity. This is significant
given the respondent’s taking of drugs is identified as one of the major triggers to his
reoffending.
[79] Similarly, his response to being moved out of the S7 unit and his response to the name
calling by a particular prisoner indicated that his ability to control his antisocial
behaviour and impulsivity and coping with stressors is still a work in progress. While
I accept the respondent is really trying to do the right thing with his behaviour in
custody as he states in his letter of 16 April 2017 and that he was not the perpetrator
in a number of incidents in which violations occurred, the fact he has not been able
to control his behaviour and impulses in such a regimented environment, indicates
that the risk of reoffending is unlikely to be reasonably and adequately managed to
ensure the adequate protection of the community by the terms of a supervision order
where he will be mixing without constant supervision in the community.
[80] On the basis of the evidence presently before me I am satisfied that the applicant has
shown that adequate protection of the community cannot be reasonably and
practicably managed by a supervision order. I consider that the respondent’s
personality disorder has not yet settled with maturation to the point where the
protection of the community from the risk that the respondent will commit a serious
26 Prison is a far more restrictive environment than would exist under a supervision order.
27 Although he generally was not the perpetrator.
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sexual offence is adequately ensured by the terms of a supervision order, albeit that
its terms are comprehensive. This is particularly so given the respondent’s
impulsivity and his vulnerability to alcohol and drug abuse. His vulnerability to drug
use and his impulsivity is demonstrated by the fact he took ice in September 2016,
notwithstanding the court in March 2016 found in his previous review that the taking
of drugs at the end of the Pathways Programme augurs very badly for the prospects
of a supervision order being effective.
[81] While I accept Mr Jackway believes he can comply with the regime established by a
supervision order he has not yet demonstrated an ability to do so. I have taken into
account the period he has served in jail and the fact that the liberty of the respondent
should be constrained to no greater extent than warranted by the legislation. The fact
remains that there is a real risk that his inability to control his level of impulsivity and
responses to emotional stressors, given his anti-social personality could rapidly
escalate such that he would turn to alcohol and drug use to the point of reoffending
notwithstanding the terms of the order, before detection.
[82] As is evident from the affidavit of Mr Tannock while there will be various protective
mechanisms and safeguards in place under the order, the respondent will not be
subject to continuous supervision or testing. Even with proper enforcement of the
supervision order, there is a real risk that Mr Jackway will feel emotionally unstable
because of the stressors of adapting to community life, which may go unnoticed by
supervisors or because he does not openly communicate with them. While he will
have the continuing support of Mr Smith that will be periodic or dependent on his
ability to contact him as well as having sufficient insight to do so. His impulsively
turning to drugs and alcohol to deal with those stressors before it being detected is a
substantial risk, with a significant risk that the outcome will be further sexual
offending.
[83] That is not to say that this will be the case in the future given Mr Jackway’s present
trajectory if he continues to engage in therapy and to develop mechanisms to manage
his personality traits, impulsivity and vulnerability to alcohol and drug abuse.
[84] The respondent’s counsel submitted the goal posts have shifted insofar as the
psychiatric evidence is indicating the need for a period of behaviour without breaches.
However the need to demonstrate he could control his impulsive behaviour and his
tendency to act in an anti-social way on impulse when stressed or provoked for an
extended period of time was identified by Dr Beech prior to the last review as it was
by Dr Grant and is supported by Dr Grant and Dr Aboud.
[85] I would recommend that Corrective Services both ensure that Mr Jackway has regular
sessions with Mr Smith (ideally fortnightly) and give Mr Smith access to Mr
Jackway’s conduct records so that he can continue to have the full appreciation of
what he is dealing with. There is no doubt that his work with Mr Smith is having a
positive effect and is necessary to positively assist the respondent in reaching a point
where he can demonstrate that he is able to comply with a supervision order.
[86] Accordingly, I affirm the decision of O’Brien AJ made on 28 February 2012 that Mr
Jackway is a serious danger to the community in the absence of a Div 3 Order and I
order that Mr Jackway continue to be subject to the Continuing Detention Order made
by O’Brien AJ.
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Official source: https://www.sclqld.org.au/caselaw/QSC/2017/067