Territory Families is currently preparing for a six-week temporary closure of the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre to undertake urgent fix and make safe works. The temporary closure allows for works to be done as quickly as possible.

During this period, if a Judge remands a young person in custody to a detention centre in Alice Springs, the young person would be accommodated for no more than 24 hours in a newly refurbished and entirely separate area of the Police watch house. This will enable arrangements to be made to transport them by air to Don Dale Detention Centre in Darwin which will be done as soon as possible and within a 24 hour period.

A self contained area in the watch house has been made appropriate for the temporary custody of young people on remand including provision of privacy screening, new lighting, televisions, establishment of a recreation space and 24/7 support from Youth Justice Officers.

Territory Families is also establishing an interim supported bail accommodation facility in Alice Springs while the current procurement process for a permanent supported bail accommodation service progresses. This will provide an alternative to remand in custody during the temporary closure. This will enable a judge to remand a youth on bail to the interim supported bail accommodation facility during the temporary closure of the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre.

Territory Families has been in ongoing consultations with legal services and representatives, Police, judges and other stakeholders to inform them about the temporary closure. Discussions have included the alternative arrangements that will be in place to ensure the ongoing wellbeing and safety of young detainees including access to support services and contact with family.

Territory Families has made it clear that these arrangements are temporary and there are no plans to amend legislation to approve police watch houses as juvenile detention centres.

Media contact: Christine Bond - P: 8999 2940 or M: 0475 953 571