At approximately 6:00pm on Saturday night, a number of prisoners refused to return to their accommodation cells due to the high temperatures.

Officers negotiated and permitted prisoners to stay in the open court yard of the accommodation block where there is better airflow. 

Some prisoners took the opportunity to cause a disturbance and began damaging property. Once attempts to negotiate those prisoners back into their cells failed, chemical spray was used in accordance with standard procedure to subdue them and swiftly bring the situation under control.  

NT Police were made aware of the disturbance and were ready to assist if required, however their assistance was not required.

No injuries were sustained by prisoners or staff during the incident and the disturbance was contained within the remand accommodation unit. 

A thorough investigation will be conducted into the incident commencing today, and additional security measures will be enacted to manage the accommodation unit.

Scott McNairn MBA

Commissioner

NT Correctional Services

Department of the Attorney-General and Justice

Northern Territory Government

Media contact: Brian Kidd 0447 767 101 or via email at Brian.Kidd@nt.gov.au