The CLP Government is fulfilling its commitments to reduce crime and fix Corrections, as new figures show the Territory’s prisoner numbers have increased by 234 since the August election.
Minister for Corrections Gerard Maley said the government was taking decisive action to reclaim control of our homes, streets, businesses, and communities.
Mr Maley said the government is implementing its Corrections Infrastructure Plan with the Berrimah prison re-opening for adult males last Friday.
“This is about getting criminals off the street, fixing Labor’s Corrections crisis and supporting police to get their watch houses back,” he said.
“Our government is backing police, ensuring criminals face consequences, and successfully rolling out the first tranche of the Corrections infrastructure plan to manage the increased prisoner numbers.”
The CLP Government is committed to being transparent with Territorians about the pressures facing the Corrections system and the challenges in addressing them.
Since the August 24, 2024 election, the prison population has risen from 2,234 to an unprecedented 2,468 – an increase of 234.
Under Labor, the prison population grew by 617, due to weak law and order settings that allowed crime, violence, and harm to escalate to record levels.
“For eight years, Labor ignored the growing problem, doing nothing as our prisons became overcrowded and overflowed into police watch houses,” said Mr Maley.
“The CLP is ending the excuses and making the tough decisions necessary to fix the Corrections crisis.
“We recognise the growing prisoner numbers are adding pressure to the Corrections system, but we make no apologies for taking every necessary step to ensure the safety of Territorians. Community safety is our top priority.”
Mr Maley said the CLP was addressing the growing prisoner numbers by expanding corrections capacity and ensuring facilities are equipped to handle the increased demand.
“We will not be a set and forget Government,” he said.
Berrimah Correctional Centre is now operational, with 200 additional beds coming online by March.
Corrections is also repurposing the Alice Springs youth detention facility into a women’s prison once youths are relocated to the new Holtze Youth Detention Centre.
Additionally, the Alice Springs Correctional Centre will see 130 beds for male prisoners become available once the 96-bed modular sector opens, and the female sector is vacated.
“I want to thank our hard-working Corrections and youth justice officers for their resilience in difficult circumstances. We back them 100%,” said Mr Maley.
“We recognise that increased Police and Corrections activity adds pressure to other areas of our already busy justice system.
“I acknowledge and thank our dedicated judges, lawyers and court staff who continue to keep court matters moving. I especially thank those who will continue to work in our courts over the holiday period, to help manage caseloads and ensure minimal disruption.”
