The Territory Labor Government is making sure Territory prisons and correctional centres are fit for purpose and ensuring that offenders face consequences for their actions but also get training and skills to enter the workforce.
Two new standalone women’s prisons – one in Alice Springs and one in Darwin – will be funded in Budget 2024. These two new women’s prisons will be established in the second half of this year once infrastructure upgrades have been completed. Both facilities have been occupied by the NT Department of Health who are working to relocate existing services without any reductions or gaps in service delivery.
As an interim measure, the current Don Dale Youth Detention Centre will be used as a training facility for male prisoners to alleviate current prisoner pressures. The Government does not see this as a permanent use of this facility and future planning is being undertaken as part of the Corrections Infrastructure Master Plan.
More than $57 million will be invested to deliver these facilities. To date, $14 million has been invested in improving the current Don Dale Youth Detention centre and the facility will be used for training and getting prisoners reintegrated and work ready.
The old Don Dale site will, as promised, be demolished in the near future.
We are taking a common sense approach to corrections by ensuring offenders face consequences for their actions while also being given skills and training to break the cycle of re-offending.
Additionally, Budget 2024 includes an extra $34 million for infrastructure upgrades at Alice Springs Correctional Centre and a combined investment from Mid-Year Budget of $35.2 million to support:
50 new custodial staff;40 new support staff; andincreased rehabilitation programs and reintegration support.
Quotes attributable to Attorney General and Minister for Justice Chansey Paech:
“The Territory Labor Government is moving forward with a common-sense corrections model.
“One of our primary objectives of these rehabilitation and reintegration centres is to address the underlying factors that contribute to criminal behaviour such as past trauma, substance abuse, mental health issues, and poor access to education and employment opportunities.
“We know that this is the most effective way to reduce recidivism and support prisoners to successfully integrate into society so that the Territory can be a safer place for everyone.”
Northern Territory Government
