The Department of Correctional Services has formally re-commissioned the old Berrimah prison as the new Don Dale Youth Detention Centre.

A traditional smoking ceremony was held at the Tivendale Road site this morning as 21 detainees were transferred from their temporary home at the Darwin Correctional Precinct’s Complex Behaviour Unit at Holtze.

The Commissioner for Corrections, Ken Middlebrook, said today’s move was a month ahead of schedule and was prompted by continuing poor behaviour from a small group of older detainees.

“The safety of my staff and the safety of the detainee population is my first priority,” he said.

“The move to Berrimah will enable us to more securely separate female and male detainees and detainees of different age groups to better manage behavioural issues.”

Commissioner Middlebrook said Berrimah also had better facilities than the former Don Dale centre and these would be further improved through an $800,000 refurbishment project that is now underway.

“Moving the youth detainees at this time also allows us to use the Complex Behaviour Unit for its intended purpose as a therapeutic mental facility for adults.”

Media contact: David Harris 0400 342 389