Holtze youth justice prison set to open next week amid corrections crisis
The first detainees to be housed at a new youth justice facility in Darwin are set to be shipped in next week, as corrections admits there’s ‘bound to be teething problems’.
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The first inmates to be housed at a new youth justice facility in Darwin are set to be shipped in next week, as Corrections fast tracks the centre opening amid an unprecedented bed shortage.
The long-awaited Holtze Youth Detention Centre will take an initial group of youth detainees from Don Dale, freeing up 50 beds for low-security male prisoners to move into the prison at Berrimah.
Commissioner Matthew Varley expected teething problems at the new youth facility, but said it was the best option available.
“We’re working around the clock to fast track it, and that’s the pressure that I’ve asked my team to work to because we need those facilities to come online,” he said.
“It’s a brand new facility, it’s been built from the ground up – there’s bound to be teething problems, but my staff have been working on those plans to get us in there next week.”
Mr Varley downplayed concerns racing to bring the centre online would exacerbate problems.
“The facility has been a long time coming, and what I would suggest is it’s a ton of a lot better than the Don Dale facility,” he said.
The government has confirmed youth detainees – along with some youths on remand – will be transferred from Alice Springs to Holtze, allowing Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre into a women’s prison.
Justice organisations, including the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, have criticised the move, arguing children should not be moved 1500km away from their family and country.
It comes as two boys escaped from Alice Springs detention on Tuesday night – something Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said was less likely to happen when the facility was repurposed.
“Unfortunately, youth offenders are much more volatile than adult offenders, and so we know that this facility is much better suited to a women’s prison,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
“We’d love kids to be staying close to country, and that starts with them not committing crimes.
“It’s completely imperfect to have youth in detention, let alone moving them around the Territory, but we’re left with no options other than to make sure they are in the safest, most purpose built facility.”
Holtze youth prison opening marks the first step of the CLP’s corrections plan to reduce overcrowding in the short term by creating additional beds and returning police watch houses to their intended use.
That includes converting the current Don Dale – formerly Berrimah Prison – for use as a low security men’s prison, with 200 beds planned by March.
It will be a temporary measure, as the centre is scheduled to close in December 2026, and the land repurposed for residential development.
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Originally published as Holtze youth justice prison set to open next week amid corrections crisis
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