The legacy of Labor’s neglect of Corrections and Youth Justice has been highlighted by the escape of two youths from the Alice Springs Detention Centre overnight.
Last night, the 17-year-old youths detainees escaped after climbing on the roof of the facility.
One of the youth escapees has 273 previous criminal occurrences with police, while the other had 90 previous criminal occurrences. The two youths remain at large.
Minister for Corrections Gerard Mr Maley said the incident highlighted the need for major changes to the Territory’s Corrections system, in which the CLP is implementing a three-step infrastructure plan.
“Labor spent more than $40 million refurbishing the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre which had an initial budget of $13 million,” Mr Maley said.
“This is why we are transitioning youth detainees to the new Holtze Youth Detention Centre which is a purpose-built facility, which is scheduled to be operational open next week.
“This will be the principal Youth Detention Centre, bringing the NT into line with other jurisdictions such as South Australia and Western Australia.
“Labor didn’t prioritise Corrections or the Holtze Youth Detention Centre. That’s why it’s more than two years overdue and $75 million over budget,” Mr Maley said.
