Alice Springs gang violently recruiting in prison, resulting in 10 assaults, riots, property damage

A gang is violently recruiting within the walls of Alice Springs Correctional Centre, with the prison syndicate linked to recent riots, property destruction and escape attempts, corrections workers say.

The union understands three prisoners have been moved to Darwin, while the rest remain in reception or remand blocks in the overcrowded Alice Springs prison complex.

A gang is violently recruiting within the walls of Alice Springs Correctional Centre, with the prison syndicate linked to recent riots, property destruction and escape attempts.

United Workers Union secretary Erina Early said Alice Springs Corrections workers were aware of 10 gang-related assaults and a number of security incidents in the four weeks since December 18.

Ms Early said 15 prisoners had been assaulted over 25 days, with gang members attacking anyone who refuses to join their ranks.

“We’ve got a gang problem, and it’s increasing.” Ms Early said.

An internal prison memo seen by the NT News has confirmed Alice Springs prison management is aware of the gang’s activity, and is taking action.

United Workers Union secretary Erina Early said Alice Springs Corrections workers were aware of 10 gang related assaults and a number of security incidents in the four weeks since December 18. Picture: Floss Adams

The staff information notice said prisoners could face the “maximum possible penalty” under prisoner misconduct regulations.

Under the NT Prison Act prisoners can be kept in “separate confinement” for up to seven days, have privileges removed for up to 28 days, with prison management also prepared to transfer gang members.

Ms Early said the group did not appear to be connected to external gangs – such as outlaw motorcycle gangs or those in remote communities – with no clear connection between members.

She said workers believe the gang developed because prisoners were “bored and want to cause havoc”.

Under the NT Prison Act prisoners can be kept in “separate confinement” for up to seven days.

Corrections workers told the union that the violence began to escalate from December 18, after four prisoners beat up two fellow inmates.

There was a similar four-on-two bashing on December 23, and on Christmas Eve seven prisoners attacked two people.

On Christmas Day there were four recorded attacks on separate prisoners – one incident involving 16 prisoners turning on a single victim.

Corrections staff reported a three-on-one bashing, and two separate incidents where a pair of gang members attacked another inmate that same day.

Alice Springs Corrections workers told the union that the violence began to escalate from December 18, after four prisoners beat up two fellow inmates.

The next day four prisoners attempted to break out of G-Block, with Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley previously identifying the young attempted fugitives as prisoners with “challenging behaviours”.

Ms Early said there was another two-on-one bashing on December 29, while 10 prisoners turned on three people on January 6.

Ms Early said the latest bout of violence happened on Friday, after four gang members turned on one victim.

The Union and Corrections did not confirm how many people had been hospitalised in relation to the gang attacks.

The Union and Corrections did not confirm how many people had been hospitalised in relation to the gang attacks.

“But if you get your head stomped in, you have to get a concussion check,” Ms Early said.

On January 7, 2024, a riot broke out in G-Block, resulting in prisoners tear gassed, and one staff member and two prisoners taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Ms Early said workers believe gang members were not sufficiently separated, endangering fellow prisoners and staff alike.

“The officers are of the view that there could have been a possibility of the riots never happening if this was addressed earlier,” Ms Early said.

“Some of the officers are now refusing to come to work because their lives and other prisoners are being put into danger,” she said.

Workers have also revealed to the union the chaos that hit the facility on New Year’s Day – with 16 prisoners attempting to kick down doors, smashing metal vents and removing shower taps in G-Block.

Abusive graffiti against Corrections workers also appeared at the reception courtyard and signs of a fire in the grass behind the remand block were present.

Ms Early said gang tattoos and tags started appearing among prisoners in the low-security cottage area after New Year’s, resulting in three prisoners being sent to the maximum security cells in G-Block.

NT Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley would not comment on the alleged incidents. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The union understands three prisoners have been moved to Darwin, while the rest remain in reception or remand blocks in the overcrowded Alice Springs prison complex.

Ms Early said she was not aware of similar gang prison dynamics developing in Darwin.

Commissioner Varley would not comment on the alleged incidents, stating that publishing prisoner activity was “prejudicial to the ongoing safety, security and good order of our facilities, our staff and our operational security activities”.

“NTCS security and intelligence teams monitor prisoner behaviours daily and regularly implement measures to manage risks to the good order and safety of the facility”.

“The NTCS position is that, for safety and security reasons, this information should not be published.”