Building a better tomorrow
Published: 7 Mar 2025
The Corrections’ infrastructure masterplan is progressing on schedule and in some cases, ahead of schedule with thanks to the dedication of our staff, contributions of prisoners, and the support of key stakeholders, including trades who are all working tirelessly to finalise current projects and commence new works across multiple corrections sites. With the help and support or our teams, we are working rapidly to deliver a more connected and efficient corrections system that will serve our communities for years to come.
At Berrimah Correctional Centre, our teams are working hard to increase site capacity to 400 prisoners and growing. As a team, we are improving BCC and running an operational site at the same time. Staff have been rallying together and supporting trades to progress and close out works on unit accommodation, visits, education, reception, industry areas, as well as staff and admin spaces, while commissioning unit accommodation and supervising structured day activities for prisoners. The site is coming along well and everyone is proud of their efforts.
NT Health has now committed to a 7-day-a-week operation, with a doctor and two nurses appointed to site which commenced 3 March ahead of F block coming online. To support the Holtze team, a fixed period kitchen and laundry contract are being brought online to relieve pressure, spread the load and increase our capacity across the prison network.
At Darwin Correctional Centre, we are progressing capital works and facility upgrades, including kitchen upgrades and the broader network design in accordance with the masterplan. Tendering and final design has progressed for sector 6 and sector 11 works. The early design for a 200-bed male work camp has progressed and planning for staff information sessions is underway.
A new women’s prison and a new male prison at Holtze are in early planning stages with land allocation and infrastructure scoping underway. Plans for a 100 plus-bed work camp in Katherine is also advancing, with staff on site in Katherine next week to review land allocations and engage in conversations about final design completions, which is scheduled for mid-year.
In Alice Springs Correctional Centre (ASCC), the new Oscar block accommodation zone is being rapidly operationalised, with builders finalizing fire panel works to achieve occupancy permitting imminently.
The Youth Justice Team at Holtze Youth Detention Centre (HYDC) is working on six months of works scheduled to close out operational commissioning. The Paperbark Youth Justice Precinct is on track, with new boot camps and bail support models moving ahead. Katherine and Tennant Creek Boot Camp facilities are nearing completion, with buildings well advanced. Land tenure issues being addressed and a push to deliver final products as quickly as possible.
Well done to all correctional staff, prisoner work crews, and key partners for their hard work and commitment in helping build a lasting impact on our corrections system.
