Department of the Attorney-General and Justice
Northern Territory Correctional Services is taking incremental steps towards easing the restrictions put in place due to COVID-19.
Comprehensive plans have been developed for our key areas of operation:
Custodial Operations – professional and social visits, staffing, and logistics.
Offender Development – delivery of programs and services.
Correctional Services Commissioner, Scott McNairn, says the gradual easing of restrictions are in line with the NT Government's roadmap to a new normal, and advice from the Chief Health Officer.
One of the first steps will include the return of professional, legal and social visits for prisoners.
Between 20 May and 5 June prisoners can receive a maximum of one adult and two child visitors during the scheduled visiting times.
'The easing of restrictions on social visits has been carefully considered to allow prisoners and their families face to face contact', Mr McNairn says.
Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of our prisoners, staff and the wider community'.
Custodial operations
Professional and legal visits can recommence from Wednesday 20 May subject to approval from the General Manager at each facility.
Social visits allowing one adult and two children per prisoner can recommence from Wednesday 20 May in line with scheduled visiting times at each facility.
Visitors will be screened by reception staff, and physical distancing and hygiene measures will be maintained at all times.
Visits will be limited to one hour.
Prisoners will wear facemasks for all visits.
It is expected that the normal quotient of four visitors per prisoner will resume from 5 June.
Resumption of the Community Support Work Program is expected week commencing 26 May.
Offender development
Offence based treatment programs have been sustained throughout the COVID-19 response. Group sizes have been adjusted accordingly to observe physical distancing guidelines.
Face-to-face prisoner education programs provided by Batchelor Institute are expected to resume from 8 June. Class sizes will adjusted to observe physical distancing guidelines.
The University of New England's Quicksmart education program continued throughout the COVID-19 response. Group sizes have been adjusted accordingly to observe physical distancing guidelines.
Delivery of the Family Violence Program in remote communities will resume when restrictions to the designated biosecurity areas are removed. Physical distancing and hygiene measures will be included in the operation of the program.
The Elders Visiting Program will also resume when the restrictions to the designated biosecurity areas are removed. Physical distancing and hygiene measures will be included in the operation of the program.
