Don Dale detainees assault workers, understaffing blamed

Understaffing is being blamed for two assaults on staff at the Don Dale youth detention centre at the weekend.

Community and Public Sector Union NT secretary Kay Densley says there should be mandatory minimum staffing levels to keep detention centre workers safe. Picture: Justin Kennedy

UNDERSTAFFING has been blamed for two assaults on female workers at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre at the weekend.

A Territory Families spokeswoman said the youth justice officers were assaulted during their “normal routine” and while escorting a girl to the toilet at Royal Darwin Hospital.

“An incident occurred on Saturday at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre at 10am when a female young person assaulted a female youth justice officer during her normal morning routine,” she said.

“The young person’s mental health began to deteriorate and as per operational policy, the decision was made to transport her to RDH for further assessment.

“While at the hospital, two female youth justice officers were assaulted when they were escorting her to the toilet.”

In a separate incident on Saturday, the spokeswoman said a different girl attacked another female youth justice officer “during her normal routine”.

“Incidents do occur in detention from time to time when managing young people with complex needs,” she said.

“All young people in detention receive access to appropriate physical and mental health care with tailored support plans where required which includes therapeutic care and activities.”

The spokeswoman said none of the workers suffered serious injuries and the girl with the mental health complaint remained at RDH on Monday.

Community and Public Sector Union NT secretary Kay Densley told the ABC there should be mandatory minimum staffing levels to keep detention centre workers safe.

“What we need to do and what we’re trying to work with the department to do is to make sure that we have enough people do deal with the risk with a detainee and the right therapeutic approaches,” she said.

A spokeswoman for Territory Families Minister Dale Wakefield said the government’s priority was the safety, security and welfare of the public, staff and detainees.

“Incidents do occur in detention from time to time when managing high-risk young people with complex needs,” she said.