Independent risk assessment revealed infrastructure concerns months before mass breakout

A RISK assessment warned NT Corrections inmates could escape from their cells and climb onto the roofs at Darwin Correctional Centre months before prisoners rioted in a mass breakout

THE Department of Corrections was warned inmates could escape from their cells and climb on the roofs at Darwin Correctional Centre five months before more than 20 prisoners rioted in a mass breakout, causing more than $20m damage.

The independent Risk Assessment Sector 6 final report, obtained by NT News, was requested by the DCC in consultation with the Northern Territory Prison Officers Association.

The 16-page report by Outback Safety, dated November 9, 2019, identified 31 risks at the facility, varying from infrastructure concerns to safety.

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Risks 13 and 14 were about the “installation of new fencing”. The preliminary risk assessment of Risk 13 was it “created climbing points onto roof”.

The preliminary assessment of Risk 14 was there were “gaps allowing prisoners to climb through and escape”.

Both these risks were considered “medium” in a raw risk ranking.

The assessment suggested mitigating measures were to “install razor wire” and “close gaps”, with the residual risks then reduced to “low”.

It also said the criteria for management of a “medium” level risk was “managed by Divisional Directors, reviewed annually and reported to the Audit and Risk Committee annually”.

Corrections was warned inmates could escape from their cells and climb on the roofs at Darwin Correctional Centre five months before more than 20 prisoners rioted.

On May 14 last year, 21 prisoners escaped their cells at Sector 6 and climbed on the roofs of prison buildings, sparking a stand-off with authorities for several hours.

The damage bill from the riot is unknown however previously reported estimates range from $20m to $40m.

A source in the prison system told NT News they and other officers had concerns for years that prison buildings could be breached. “Some of the findings were that prisoners could break out of the windows, and that’s exactly what they did,” they said.

“They broke out of these accommodations. The department … had these recommendations, and if they acted on, they haven’t acted quickly enough to stop a major riot.

“Ever since we moved into this place there’s just no action … there doesn’t seem to be any appetite by the government to acknowledge that this prison is not fit for purpose.”

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The source said staff were on edge and concerned about another riot.

“They (inmates) are saying that they’ve learned from (the riot) and they know how to do it properly next time,” they said.

“There are threats of officers being taken hostage.”

The Department of the Attorney-General and Justice did not respond by deadline.

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