Share and Follow
“Detention facilities within the territory are subject to independent statutory oversight, ensuring robust safeguards and accountability for everyone in custody.”
A photograph of cell M3 at Palmerston Watch House in the Northern Territory, showing approximately 17 inmates, was taken on February 12, 2025. Source: Supplied / NT Police
The human rights organization announced plans to engage with government officials, independent oversight bodies, civil society groups, and other key stakeholders.
In their statement, they noted that a delegation of two experts would be collecting data from prisons, police stations, as well as from migrants and individuals with psychosocial disabilities.
“No prisoner, regardless of their offence, should be held in such conditions.”
NT Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Corrections Gerad Maley answered one question about the UN visit during a press conference to announce a gas agreement on Tuesday. Source: SBS News / Josh van Staden
Lia Finocchiaro’s CLP government said it welcomed the ombudsman NT’s Investigation Report into conditions for prisoners in NT Police watch houses.
“We make no apologies for restoring the rights of victims and the community and I’ve said many times, if you do the wrong thing, we will find you a bed.”
Keeping staff ‘safe’
“This is about keeping the staff safe, and I have got full confidence in the staff with corrections officers [to] do their job, and we’re focusing on keeping Territorians safe.”
NT independent MP Justine Davis. Source: supplied.
Independent MP says it’s ‘really frightening’
According to the latest annual report published by NT Corrections, the average prison population has spiked by 15 per cent over the past year.
Davis has called on the government to allow immediate UN access and for their findings to be treated seriously.
