Jailhouse rocked: Private contractors plan to bolster prison workforce

The CLP Finocchiaro Government and the powerful union United Voice are on a collision course. Find out why.

The Darwin Correctional Precinct, Hotlze, was subject to a riot in 2020 causing extensive damage, estimated in the region of $40 million. Picture: Che Chorley

The CLP Finocchiaro Government is planning to bolster its Territory-wide Corrections workforce with private contractors, putting it on a collision course with the powerful union United Voice.

Union heavyweights have been briefed by government on its plans to introduction a Correctional Services Legislative Amendment Bill 2025 next week in parliament.

Union members have threatened not to work with the private contractors.

A Corrections source told this publication late Thursday that the government’s plans to push the legislation through with urgency had infuriated the United Voice leadership which represented Corrections staff.

Deputy Chief Minister and Corrections Minister Gerard Maley said the amendments government was taking to parliament would ease Corrections system workforce pressures that had increased substantially with the growth of the prison population up by more than 500 since last year’s August election.

The old Berrimah prison has been reactivated to help with the increase in prisoner numbers.

Next week’s Correctional Services Legislative Amendment Bill 2025 will give the Commissioner of Corrections the power to appoint special corrections and parole officers.

This will include external workforce and interstate corrections personnel, which is intended to provide a more flexible workforce framework.

The special Corrections and parole officers will assist with functions such as prisoner transport, escort services between Correctional Centres, health and hospital appointments, electronic monitoring, and compliance activities.

The government said last financial year custodial staff worked hundreds of shifts a week carrying out this work.

A substantial amount of the work was performed on overtime.

Minister Maley said the government was listening to the Corrections workforce and supporting frontline Corrections staff to concentrate on core duties would also allow a greater focus on rehabilitation, education, and skills training programs for prisoners.

“We have listened and decisive action by our government will address staffing pressures and ensure the long-term sustainability of the NT’s Corrections system,” he said.

“These reforms are necessary to manage rising prisoner numbers and ensure the continued safety of Corrections staff and the wider community.

“Our Corrections system is under immense pressure due to a sustained increase in prisoner numbers. Since the August election, there has been increase of more than 500 prisoners, and we are taking action to ensure the corrections system remains functional, effective, and safe.”

However the Corrections source said officers were now feeling as if all their hard work “means nothing”.

“We’ll refuse to work with them ... we will not be assisting them in any way,” they said.

“Currently, Corrections officers must complete certificate three and four in correctional services.

“The certificates cover the correct processes of how to operate prisons, such as how to use cuffs, but also what is the correct legislation.

“It’s not personal, it’s a work health and safety thing. We shouldn’t have to teach them how to cuff someone.

If privatised, the source said the prison could now hire “anyone” - even if they weren’t qualified.

Further, they said there were already employees on standby in South Australia ready to come into the Territory and start work.

Mr Maley said the initiative would not replace the ongoing Corrections recruitment program, but with recruiting and training skilled corrections staff a time-intensive process, it “serves as a practical solution to ensure that our experienced staff can remain focused on their core duties”.

Originally published as Jailhouse rocked: Private contractors plan to bolster prison workforce