Repair works on Darwin prison following riot yet to begin, as clean up bill hits $250,000

WORK to repair the Darwin Correctional Centre following the major riot that happened seven months ago is yet to begin, with the clean-up costs already in the hundreds of thousands

WORK to repair the Darwin Correctional Centre following the major riot that happened seven months ago is yet to begin, with clean-up costs already hitting $250,000.

Corrections Commissioner Scott McNairn revealed during budget estimates late on Wednesday night that “repairs have not started yet” and a cleaning company is working its way through accommodation areas that were significantly fire damaged.

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“There has been no physical work other than tidying up, cleaning and making the accommodation safe at this point in time,” he said.

During the riot, on May 13, 21 prisoners left their cells, set fire to parts of the jail, and caused extensive damage to the facility.

The clean-up bill so far has come in at around $250,000.

But the total damage bill from the riot remains unknown.

Corrections Commissioner, Scott McNairn, update the media on the overnight Darwin Correctional Centre incident. Picture: Che Chorley

Attorney-General and Justice Department acting chief executive Gemma Lake said the government was still “working through the value of the loss” and could not provide an estimate.

Previously reported estimated costs of the riot, including brief mentions of the riot in court, range from $20m to $40m.

It comes as Attorney-General Selena Uibo appeared to back pedal on a decision to not release an independent review in the riot.

The Paget report, it was revealed in estimates, cost $40,000 to produce and has not be released publicly so as not to jeopardise legal matter.

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But it was revealed earlier this week that not even the NT’s own Ombudsman had received a copy of the report.

Ms Uibo on Wednesday revealed that the Ombudsman had now gone straight to her department to ask for a copy of the report, and Mr Peter Shoyer would be receiving it soon enough.

She also revealed that she intends “to release the executive summary and recommendations of the Paget Report” but the decision, which is under consideration, will be ultimately led by legal advice.