Plan to tackle summer crime working, says Chief, as prisons hit boiling point

Alice Springs has so far avoided the summer crime crisis seen last year, but its prison exposes a system at boiling point.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler says the government’s plan to tackle crime in Central Australia this summer is working to engage young people, at the same time riots, overcrowding and attempted jailbreaks highlight mounting pressure on Alice Springs’ prison system.

Speaking in Alice Springs on Monday Ms Lawler said anti-social behaviour was down 30 per cent over the first nine weeks of the summer plan – launched mid-November – compared with “crisis” level crime rates over the same period last year.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler and Deputy Chief Minister Chansey Paech said the government was tackling youth crime from “every angle”. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

She said the 390 community programs delivered so far in the Alice Springs region were helping to keep young people off the streets, and an ice rink which opened Monday would be another option for families to escape the heat.

“So far about one in three kids and teenagers in Alice Springs have engaged with our school holiday programs. This is the most activities we have ever had for families in Central Australia and many people are having a lot of fun,” she said.

“We have workers on the streets every night, identifying unsupervised young people, providing safe places and activities and catching those doing the wrong thing.”

The summer plan also included 50 additional rostered police to target anti-social behaviour under Operation Drina, and more service interventions for at-risk young people and their families.

A joint initiative by police and Territory Families was currently working with 18 young people and had referred 25 others who were now engaged in intensive case management through Oonchiumpa for culturally appropriate intervention and support including on country camps.

Return to country programs had assisted 224 people back to community.

Deputy Opposition Leader Gerard Maley. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

It comes as Alice Springs Correctional Centre reaches boiling point, with two inmates hospitalised after a 27-person riot on Sunday night – the union blaming a lack of airconditioning and soaring temperatures for heightening tensions.

The Territory’s prison population is at an all time high, and persistent understaffing and overcrowding issues plague corrections.

Deputy Opposition Leader Gerard Maley said the situation in Alice Springs showed the government had “failed” on crime.

“Residents of Alice Springs – they’ve had a gutful,” he said.

“Our solution is to make sure that people know before they commit a crime there is going to be a consequence for their action.”

Mr Maley also highlighted the need for rehabilitation programs, saying the government had failed to get the balance right: “Right now the balance is in favour of the offender.”

If elected to government, Mr Maley said the CLP would carry out a “comprehensive review” of the Territory crime and justice approach and would “consider whatever it takes to keep the Territory safe”.

He would not rule out building a new prison in the NT, and would not commit to installing aircon in existing facilities.

“We need to make sure any facility, particularly a correctional facility, is up to a certain standard – I don’t know what that standard might be right here today,” Mr Maley said.

Corrections Minister Chansey Paech said the government was adding a new wing and 96 beds to Alice Springs prison and had provided “record investment” in prison programs for inmates.