The Lawler Labor Government is continuing to deliver common sense solutions to reduce youth crime and help offenders to turn their lives around and leave crime behind.
Construction of the new $130 million Darwin Youth Detention Centre is substantially complete with detainees set to transition to the new space from October.
The secure facility, which has a 44-bed capacity, has been designed to rehabilitate young people and provide them with the skills they need to get a job and stop offending.
There are four separate accommodation blocks at the new centre, which includes shared spaces for young people to interact and engage in development programs.
The facility features learning spaces; medical and visitor rooms; and recreation and exercise areas to tailor support to the specific needs of young people, and provide them with the life and vocational skills required to equip them for the workforce.
Education programs that focus on providing work-readiness training and practical skills will be delivered by qualified teachers; and GP, dental, medical specialist and mental health support services will also be available.
The facility is equipped with state-of-the art security features such as contemporary CCTV, body scan and digital access technology as well as anti-climb external perimeter fencing to keep young people, staff, and the community safe.
The final security fit-out and commissioning of the facility is now underway.
Quotes attributable to Chief Minister Eva Lawler
“The new Darwin Youth Detention Centre will be an important facility to help detainees get their lives back on track and get the skills they need to get a job and stop offending.”
“There’s nothing more important to me than keeping Territorians safe and these new Youth Detention Centres are an important part of my common sense plan to lower crime in the Territory.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Territory Families Ngaree Ah Kit:
“The needs of young people in youth detention are very different to adults in detention and we know that the spaces and services they need are very different too.
“We know ‘place’ is a big part of getting back on track and the new centre has all the right facilities to support young people on their journey. We will continue to work with the families of our young offenders during their detention and once they are released because this is how we break the cycle of crime.”
Northern Territory Government
