Up next
Author
Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp

Advocates believes a death in custody is imminent under the current conditions inside Northern Territory watch houses.
Amongst other instances of overcrowding, Palmerston police watch house is currently being used to house an overflow of more than 70 correctional prisoners.

NT Coordinator for the Justice Reform Initiative, Rocket Bretherton, says she fears for those currently caught up in the territory’s justice system.

“There is no privacy, no showers … 10 to 15 people in a cell, sharing mattresses on the floor,” the Noongar woman told NITV.
“I’ve heard stories of [people] not being able to get life saving medication.

“It’s only a matter of time.”

Rocket Breatherton.jpg

Rocket Bretherton has deep subject matter expertise as a consequence of her own experience in the NT justice system and has been working since 2019 to raise public awareness of the failings of the justice system. Source: Emma Kellaway

For years Ms Bretherton has campaigned and advocated for justice reform in the Northern Territory.

Recounting stories of people recently released from the Palmerston Police Watch House, 20 kilometers southeast of Darwin, Ms Bretherton said the conditions were “disgusting”.
“Men can see straight over to the women. There is no privacy.”
“I’ve been told [there is] period-stained sheets just wrapped up in the corner.

“That’s disgusting, we need to be doing better.”

Police union calls out ‘crisis point’

It comes as the Northern Territory Police Association (NTPA) President, Nathan Finn, said the situation is putting police officers, prisoners, and the broader community at unacceptable risk.
“This is officially out of control,” Mr Finn said in a statement.
“The CLP Government has made repeated promises to stop using police facilities for correctional purposes, yet the Palmerston Watch House is now overflowing.”

“It’s not a matter of if, but when a serious custody incident occurs.”

Mr Finn said the Palmerston Police Watch House has reached a “crisis point”, with 92 detainees recorded in custody on Monday, including 76 correctional prisoners.
The NTPA is calling on the NT Government to urgently invest in appropriate correctional infrastructure and stop relying on police watch houses as overflow prisons.
“If immediate action isn’t taken, we’re gravely concerned that someone – be it a police officer, a prisoner, or a member of the public, is going to be seriously injured or worse,” Mr Finn said.

Since coming to power in August last year, the NT Country Liberal Party Government has enacted a string of “tough-on-crime” policies, including the tightening of bail laws.

On Wednesday there were a total 2842 people incarcerated across the Northern Territory, an increase of more than 600 prisoners since the CLP came to power.
That includes a record number of inmates not yet convicted, with 49 per cent of those on remand awaiting sentencing.

88 per cent of those incarcerated in the NT are Indigenous.

‘No alternative’ in Government response

In a statement Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Corrections, Gerard Maley, told NITV there is “no alternative” and the solution to overcrowding is for “individuals to stop breaking the law”.
“Police will continue arresting those who break the law, and corrections will continue expanding capacity to ensure those who are remanded or sentenced have a bed.”
The NT Government have created more than 500 new beds at Darwin and Alice Springs corrections facilities since taking office, with a further 238 beds expected to be added by August.
“Whilst government can strengthen laws, adequately resource police and expand corrections capacity this needs to be matched with personal responsibility: individuals need to stop breaking the law,” Mr Maley said in a statement.
Rocket Bretherton urged the NT Government to “do better”.
“If we want people to stop the offending behaviour, we need to look at the root causes of the behaviour,” Ms Bretherton said.

“If we don’t do that then there will be no change.”

Share and Follow
FacebookXRedditPinterestWhatsApp
You May Also Like
Russia's Oreshnik missile system

Russia Activates Nuclear-Capable Oreshnik Missiles: Strategic Shift Raises Global Security Concerns

The ministry has unveiled a video showcasing combat vehicles from the mobile…

Australian Cricket Legend Damien Martyn Reportedly in Induced Coma: Latest Updates and Support from Fans

Australia’s cricket community is rallying around Damien Martyn after the Test great…

Rising Tide of Hate: Bondi Attack Sparks Urgent Concerns Over Anti-Muslim Sentiment

Australian Muslim women wearing headscarves are being attacked in public in the…
The bulk of Cath Armstrong's grocery shopping for the entire year is done in just three days.

Yearly Pantry Restock: Cath Prepares for 2026 with Detailed Meal Planning Strategy

Cath Armstrong is not a fan of grocery shopping, so the Victorian…
Lobster worth over $590,000 among spate of US seafood thefts

Lobster Valued at Over $590,000 Among Series of US Seafood Heists

Lobster worth $US400,000 ($597,100), 40,000 oysters and a cache of crabmeat all…
Outside Jackie Jarvis, WA Fisheries Minister's office

Shocking Discovery: 200kg of Shark Heads Mysteriously Dumped at MP’s Office

Three individuals have been formally charged following an odorous incident involving the…
Videos on local media showed train cars with broken windows and dented sides stuck along a rail line hemmed in between a lush forest and a massive rock.

Tragic Train Accident Near Machu Picchu Leaves One Dead, Dozens Injured

Two trains taking tourists to Peru’s famed archaeological site of Machu Picchu…

Unveiling the Truth: Bondi Attackers’ Solo Act with No Philippines Training Connection, Police Confirm

According to AFP chief Krissy Barrett, there is currently no evidence indicating…