The Finocchiaro CLP Government continues to strengthen the Northern Territory's correctional system, with another major milestone achieved under the Corrections Infrastructure Masterplan.
Minister for Corrections Gerard Maley said the CLP Government was focused on making sure the correctional system had the infrastructure, resources and workforce support to manage rising custodial demands.
"Yesterday, Corrections staff successfully exited the Palmerston Police Watch House, allowing officers to be redeployed to the Berrimah Correctional Centre (BCC)," he said.
"Since coming online in December, BCC has expanded to accommodate more than 310 extra prisoners. The additional infrastructure is progressing well ahead of schedule to further ease pressures."
Additionally, the 100-bed temporary dormitories at Berrimah Correctional Centre are now online and occupied, and another 48 beds are expected to be operational by the end of the month.
This will take the capacity at BCC to more than 360 beds, well above the 200 originally planned for this stage of the rollout.
With unforeseen construction delays at Alice Springs Correctional Centre now over, the 96-bed modular unit is expected to receive prisoners from today, bringing much-needed capacity online and alleviating pressures at the Alice Springs Police Watch House.
Mr Maley said another key priority was addressing staffing challenges through ongoing recruitment, the expected arrival of the first cohort G4S staff next week, and assistance from recently upskilled Youth Justice Officers.
"We remain focused on delivering long-term crime reduction strategies through an adequately resourced and staffed corrections system, which plays a key role bringing down the rates of recidivism by expanding work and skills programs, increasing rehabilitation, and tackling the root causes of offending," said Mr Maley.
"By boosting infrastructure capacity, supporting our workforce, and continuing to invest in rehabilitation and behaviour-change strategies, we're making sure that custody isn't just about punishment, but also about breaking the cycle of reoffending, which will make our community safer for all Territorians."
