The Northern Territory Department of Corrections acknowledges the release of the Children's Commissioner's report. While we respect the important oversight role of the Commissioner, it is essential that Territorians have a clear understanding of the operational reality in which Youth Justice Officers work every day, and the context behind the matters raised.
This inquiry examined an historic period in 2023-24, when the former Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre was undergoing major refurbishment under a different department. Using that exceptional and transitional period to judge the current youth justice system risks giving a distorted picture that does not reflect the professionalism, integrity and genuine care shown by my Youth Justice staff working today.
I have witnessed firsthand the calm, careful and compassionate skills my officers use to provide security, structure and services in support of youth detainees who too often have too few people in their lives as positive role models.
Our Youth Justice Officers carry out a difficult, demanding job with integrity and care. They work with young people who present with complex and overlapping needs-disability, trauma, cognitive impairment, and profound instability in their lives. They are not letting these young people down; too many have been failed long before they reach our custody. The public can have confidence that our officers uphold safety, dignity and the law every day.
Putting facts on the record
Court‑ordered detention and our legal duty
Courts-not Youth Justice Officers-decide who is detained. Once the Court makes an order, the Department is legally required to ensure secure and lawful custody, consistent with legislation and community expectations. Officers meet that duty with professionalism, respect and compassion, often under intense pressure and public scrutiny.
Why recommendations were not accepted
The Department carefully considered the Commissioner's recommendations and set out clear reasons for not accepting them. Several proposals are beyond our legal authority. Others are not operationally practicable or would impose non‑legislated obligations in time‑critical, high‑risk scenarios. We continue to meet our statutory obligations and apply existing policies and procedures appropriately.
Interpreters, language aids and cultural support
We recognise the importance of ensuring every young person can understand matters that affect them. Accredited interpreter availability is limited Territory‑wide, particularly for less‑common Central Australian languages and in urgent transfer windows. Where interpreters are available, officers use them and make reasonable attempts to secure them. In parallel, staff routinely deploy practical language supports-plain‑language explanations, visual tools (picture books, diagrams), and the assistance of Aboriginal Mentors and dedicated case managers to bridge language and cultural understanding.
Family contact-the practical paradox
We agree family connection matters. But the community should understand the realities my officers face. It is often difficult to identify or contact next‑of‑kin promptly. Numbers are disconnected or belong to extended relatives; sometimes no family member is present at Court when detention is ordered. Officers still make reasonable attempts to notify families and to support contact through calls, video links and visits where operationally possible. The paradox is clear: we are criticised for not notifying families who are frequently unreachable or absent in earlier stages of the process.
Transfers and airports-what we can and cannot control
Officers escort young people through airports in ways designed to balance safety, dignity and privacy. There is limited scope for the Department to formalise additional airport protocols beyond current practice, which already prioritises discretion and compliance.
Through‑care and best practice claims
The Commissioner's statement links departmental actions to community safety outcomes and re‑offending risk. We share the goal of reducing re‑offending-but must be clear about systemic constraints. High remand rates, short and unpredictable stays, rapidly changing court outcomes, and limited external supports all complicate through‑care in ways outside the control of my staff. Officers facilitate access to services and programs every day; they are not the architects of the broader social determinants driving contact between these young people and the justice system.
What the inquiry period also showed-unreported effort
Even within the exceptional circumstances of 2023-24, there were documented examples of positive practice that deserve recognition: ASYDC staff were flown to Darwin to stabilise operations and help young people transition; family contact was facilitated in various ways; disability supports were pursued in custody where feasible. These are real efforts by real officers-undertaken quietly, professionally and with care for young people.
On the Children's Commissioner's media assertions
The Commissioner's statement uses strong, absolutist language, including that outcomes have "worsened", that practices "contradict best practice", and that it is "completely unacceptable" that families are not contacted prior to transfer. Those assertions do not reflect the legal, logistical and operational realities outlined above, nor the limitations imposed by court orders, interpreter scarcity and the frequent absence or inaccessibility of family networks. I will continue to correct the record where commentary risks unfairly attributing systemic issues to frontline officers.
Pride in our officers; commitment to continuous improvement
I am immensely proud of our Youth Justice Officers.
They manage complex behaviour, respond to crises, facilitate family contact, support access to health and disability services, and explain decisions in accessible ways-every day. We will keep improving where we can, but I will always defend my staff against criticism that does not reflect the operational reality.
Matthew Varley
Commissioner, Northern Territory Department of Corrections
