New youth detention centre won’t fix overcrowding problem: Staff

EXCLUSIVE: DON Dale staff are concerned the new $55m Darwin Youth Detention Centre will not resolve current overcrowding problems which have contributed to a spike in assaults on officers

• Corrections officers hospitalised, allegedly attacked with shiv made by Don Dale detainees

DON Dale staff are concerned the new $55m Darwin Youth Detention Centre will not resolve current overcrowding problems which have contributed to a spike in assaults on officers in recent months.

The Sunday Territorian understands Youth Justice Officers at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre have raised concerns about the fact that the new Youth Justice Centre, which is currently under construction and set to be completed in mid 2022, only has space for 30 beds.

The plan for the new centre, published on the NT government website, states the new centre will feature “30 bedrooms for young people”.

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As of last week, there were 29 youths detained in Don Dale. This is compared to 25 around this time last year.

Community & Public Sector Union NT Secretary Kay Densely described the current overcrowding of Don Dale as “very concerning” for staff.

“The number of young people currently in detention is very concerning, and while YJOs (Youth Justice Officers) are trained in assisting with detainees’ rehabilitation and care, it is clear that more specialist mental health services are absolutely needed,” she said.

Ms Densley said the situation had resulted in an increase in assaults on officers.

“We are aware of over 40 assaults over the last few months,” she said.

“All workers should be safe at work and the ongoing assaults of Youth Justice Officers are unacceptable.”

It comes after two officers were transported to hospital last Wednesday night after a group of youth detainees allegedly made a shiv and attacked them with it.

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A Territory Families, Housing and Communities spokeswoman said the NT government will have capacity for 48 youth detainees between the new Darwin facility and Alice Springs. “There has never been more than 48 young people in detention across both centres while Territory Families, Housing and Communities has had responsibility for youth detention,” the spokeswoman said.

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