An intellectually impaired pedophile has been released from indefinite detention in Western Australia on a strict five-year supervision order.
Stephen Michael Jonsson was in 2012 classed as a dangerous sex offender (DSO), which meant he would stay behind bars until a Supreme Court judge decided he could be released.
After his first annual review last year, it was determined that Jonsson continued to present an unacceptably high risk to the community if appropriate measures to modulate that risk were not taken.
It was also determined that it was very unlikely there would be any long term reduction of risk with continued detention. But Jonsson was reluctant to leave the prison environment because it fulfilled his unmet needs for non-sexual intimacy and friendship.
He had also enjoyed taking care of greyhounds, chickens and the vegetable garden in prison. He reported feeling comfortable there because he was treated kindly, in contrast to some of his experiences in the community.
There were occasions when he expressed a wish to be released but when provided with information regarding supervision requirements, he withdrew the request.
Amid concerns Jonsson would regress into a further institutionalised state, he was moved from Hakea Prison to Bunbury Pre-Release Unit, where he adjusted well to the prospect of being released.
According to his psychologist, he also consistently expressed awareness of what would be required of him on a community based order, and indicated he would comply with such requirements.
After private Disability Services Commission-registered agency Teem Treasure went to great effort to secure appropriate accommodation for Jonsson and train staff to supervise him, Justice John McKechnie decided to release him on August 6.
Jonsson will be subject to strict conditions including wearing a GPS tracking device.
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