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NT prisoner numbers hit record high

The Northern Territory Correctional Services says prisoner numbers across the Territory are at record levels.

More beds are being added to the Northern Territory's prisons and correctional centres as prisoner numbers hit record levels.

Some prisoners are also being assessed for early release on home detention to ease the pressure, NT Correctional Services says.

Prisoner numbers across the Territory have reached 1789, which is 108 per cent of design capacity.

Correctional Services says 40 beds will be added at the Darwin Correctional Centre to create double bunking in some cells while another 18 single cells have recently been made available.

Another 20 single cells will be ready by the end of February.

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"Extra custodial staff are being rostered on to manage the increased workload," the department said in a statement.

Overcrowding is worst in Alice Springs where there are 609 prisoners at the town's correctional centre, equal to 121 per cent of capacity.

NORTHERN TERRITORY PRISONER NUMBERS:

Total prisoners: 1789 (108.6 per cent of capacity)

Darwin Correctional Centre: 1077 (102.8 per cent)

Alice Springs Correctional Centre: 609 (121.8 per cent)

Barkley Work Camp: 59 (118 per cent)

Datjala Work Camp: 44 (88 per cent)

Source: NT Correctional Services. Figures current at February 11


2 min read

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Source: AAP


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