NT Government reviewing how it manages people deemed mentally unfit to plead to serious crimes

THE Territory Government will conduct a major review into how it manages people deemed mentally unfit to plead to serious crime

THE Territory Government will conduct a major review into how it manages people deemed mentally unfit to plead to serious crimes.

The review, to take up to six months, comes after the escape of Malcolm Morton from the secure­ care unit at the Alice Springs Correctional Centre last April.

Acting Health Minister Eva Lawler last week said a critical incident­ review into the escape had been conducted and the Government was happy to make all reports public. But when asked to release the review and an audit conducted by KPMG, Ms Lawler said these had now been rolled into a major review that would not be complete until the middle of the year.

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“The critical incident review made a series of recommendations including that KPMG be engaged to review the organisational structure, eligibility, legislation and service­ requirements of the Specialist Support and Forensic Disability Unit,” she said.

“Initial scoping was undertaken to complete an organisational structure review.

“The Department of Health has since expanded this recommendation to encompass­ a broader review of all related forensic services across disability, mental health, justice and to take into consideration findings from the Royal Commission.”

Morton’s escape was only made public last week after an investigation by Sky News and the NT News. The Government says this major review was already under way before the incident was brought to light.

The review is separate to the independent audit announced by Chief Minister Michael Gunner yesterday after the Government revealed another violent offender had escaped care and been on the run for six weeks.