Department of the Attorney-General and Justice
Northern Territory Correctional Services is suspending all social visits to prisoners from Wednesday 25 March 2020 at the Darwin and Alice Springs Correctional Centres and the work camps at Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy.
The decision is part of Australia wide plans to minimise potential risks to the health and wellbeing of prisoners, staff, essential support service workers and the wider community during the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
NT Correctional Services Commissioner Scott McNairn says prisoners will have an opportunity to make extra phone calls to loved ones.
‘Corrections is also looking at other communication options including access to video links if available’, Mr McNairn says.
‘We are also suspending visits from non-essential service providers including volunteers, official visitors and non-government organisations.
‘Prisoners will continue to have access to essential medical and support services with some professional visitors such as lawyers looking to use video links and phone calls to continue their contacts with prisoners.
‘Contact with family and friends is important for prisoners and visits will resume as soon as possible following health authorities reviewing the risks of the infection spreading’.
Commissioner McNairn will keep the community informed of any further restrictions that may be necessary in NT correctional facilities.
For the latest updates on the NT Government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic visit the coronavirus.nt.gov.au website.
