Riot breaks out at Alice Springs prison

Gas had to be used on rioting prisoners who were protesting the Zach Rolfe not guilty verdict.

SATURDAY UPDATE:

A FURTHER 16 prisoners had to be moved to the Alice Springs watch house on Saturday morning after gas was deployed to control riots in the prison.

The protests broke out in the aftermath of the Zach Rolfe murder trial verdict, in which the police officer was found not guilty on all charges of murdering Indigenous teenager Kumanjayi Walker in Yuendumu in November 2019.

In an email sent to staff mid-afternoon Saturday, NT Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley said prisoners had “caused damage to a few doors, locks and windows in some accommodation blocks and lit some fires”.

“Although the situation was risky, our staff responded exceptionally well and brought the incident rapidly under control,” he said.

Corrections staff then worked overnight to clean up the damage so 28 prisoners could be moved back into accommodation, having spent the night in the watch house.

“To those involved: You stepped up to the mark and did an outstanding job to resolve the situation safely, quickly and professionally,” Commissioner Varley said.

While the Friday and Saturday disturbances happened in the Alice Springs prison, sources have told the Sunday Territorian staff at the Darwin prison are also preparing for riots.

“They’ve done a really good job to control the situation,” the source said.

“The officers are really happy that no prisoners have been hurt and no officers have been hurt.

“However, they do believe things are at boiling point.

“They’ve done extended shifts, everyone’s basically working around the clock at the moment to ensure the safety and security of the prisoners.”

The source said officers continued to receive threats against their lives from prisoners but they were professionals who “take them in their stride”.

NT Police Commander Craig Laidler confirmed the prisoners had been moved to the watch house.

“Northern Territory Police are temporarily housing groups of prisoners at the Alice Springs watch house after a disturbance (Friday) afternoon at the Alice Springs Correctional Facility,” he said.

“Corrections staff are managing the prisoners at the watch house.

“A small fire at the facility (Friday) afternoon was dealt with by Corrections staff. NTFRS responded but were not required.

“ Corrections staff are completing a clean-up of the facility before prisoners are returned.”

In a statement to the Sunday Territorian, Commissioner Varley said order was “quickly restored” and staff and prisoners were “receiving support”.

NT Police are investigating the incidents.

FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE:

About 40 prisoners have been moved to the Alice Springs watch house after a riot broke out in the prison, following the announcement of a not guilty verdict in the Zach Rolfe murder trial.

Sources have told the NT News at least two fires have been lit — in the G-block and in reception — with some dormitories being destroyed.

The accommodation areas have been “smashed to bits” a source said, however there are no reports of injuries.

“Officers are being threatened with their lives,” the source said.

“It is a boiling pot at the moment.”

EARLIER:

PRISONERS at the Alice Springs jail have burned mattresses, bins, clothes and “anything they can get their hands on” as they rioted.

Firefighters were called to the prison at 2.48pm but had it under control by 3.45pm.

No prison officers or prisoners were hurt in the riot.

Sources have said the incident took place in the G-Block and the alleged instigators have been separated from others within the prison.

Corrections staff from Darwin have been texted to see if they could travel to Alice Springs and work shifts in the town over the weekend.

Top End firefighters have also been offered weekend shifts in Central Australia as fears mount of riots both within the prison and outside its walls after a not guilty verdict was handed down in the Zach Rolfe murder trial.

The not guilty verdict was handed down at about 12.30pm Friday.

NT Police superintendent Adrian Kidney said in a statement that authorities had controlled the situation.

“NT police and fire crews responded to a report of a disturbance and a small fire at the Alice Springs Correctional Facility this afternoon,” Supt Kidney said.

“The fire had been extinguished prior to fire crews arriving on scene. No injuries have been reported.”

NT Corrections has been contacted for comment.

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