$1.1m to be spent on confidential security changes at Darwin Correctional Centre

NT Corrections has declined to reveal what security changes have been made at Darwin Correctional Centre, despite a damning confidential report revealing guards feared inmates would mount an escape months before last year’s major riot.

The Darwin Correctional Precinct, Hotlze. Picture: Che Chorley

THE Territory’s top prison officer has declined to reveal what security changes have been made at Darwin Correctional Centre (pictured), despite a damning confidential report revealing corrections officers feared inmates would mount an escape months before last year’s major riot.

Acting NT Correctional Services Commissioner David Thompson did confirm $1.145m would be spent on safety and security projects this financial year, on top of the $2.4m that had been spent in the last three financial years.

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But asked to detail what infrastructure changes had been made, Mr Thompson said corrections did not comment on specific security arrangements.

It comes after the NT News on Thursday revealed a 16-page independent risk assessment report into Sector 6 found 31 issues with the facility including the existence of “climbing points onto roof” and “gaps allowing prisoners to climb through and escape”.

Five months after the report was done 21 prisoners escaped their cells at Sector 6, sparking a riot that caused between $20m and $40m of damage.

The NT News approached the Department of Attorney-General and Justice for comment on Wednesday morning and received a response on Friday afternoon.

Mr Thompson, in the statement, said the risk assessment document was part of “routine and regular risk assessment measures”.

He said corrections had a process in place for staff to report any security concerns and that prisoners had a “structured daily regime” and engage in work, education and offending behaviour programs.

Originally published as $1.1m to be spent on confidential security changes at Darwin Correctional Centre