The NT Department of Correctional Services is expanding its capacity in youth detention, with the recruitment of 19 new Youth Justice Officers who commenced training in Darwin this week.

NTDCS Commissioner Mark Payne said this represents the biggest intake of new Youth Justice Officers in the Department’s history, underscoring a commitment to develop professional capacity in this area.

“The recruits must complete a rigorous eight-week program before being assigned to positions at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre in Darwin,” Commissioner Payne said..

“After their initial training they will continue, over the next 10 months, working towards completion of the Certificate III in Correctional Practice, qualifying them as Youth Justice Officers.”

Commissioner Payne said their current training – conducted at the NTDCS training facility at the Darwin Correctional Precinct at Holtze – embraced a range of topics, including the legislative framework of youth justice.

“The course also includes cultural awareness, IT systems, first aid, fire-fighting and drug and alcohol awareness,” he said.

“Trainees also undertake physical training.”

The intensive full-time course includes one week of ‘On the Job’ exposure where trainees work shadow shifts at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre and are mentored through their duties by experienced youth justice officers.

The new recruits embrace a broad range of backgrounds and ages. The youngest member on the course is 19 and the oldest is 62.

One third of the recruits are women, adding to the diversity of the NTDCS workforce.

Although most of the recruits are from Darwin, three have been recruited from Alice Springs.

NTDCS maintains youth detention facilities in Darwin at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre and the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre.

Media contact: David Harris 0400 342 389