The Government must make the report into the prison riots of 13 May 2020 public, Opposition Leader, Lia Finocchiaro said.
“In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the Territory experienced the most dangerous and destructive prison riot in its history. More than 20 prisoners escaped from their cells and laid siege to the Darwin Correctional Centre for five hours, burning four buildings and threatening staff,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
“The total cost of remediating the riot damage has been estimated at more than $40 million,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
A review of the riot, ordered by the Attorney-General in June and conducted by Associate Professor John Paget at Charles Sturt University, has now been delivered to the Government.
“The Paget review into the riot at the Darwin Correctional Centre must be released to the public immediately. We need to fully understand the total cost to the Territory of the riot, any injuries to staff or prisoners as well as the measures that will be put in place to ensure that another riot does not take place in the future,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
Initial reports indicated that the May riot was sparked by prisoner concerns over restrictions imposed as a result of COVID-19, such as the suspension of social visits to the prison. Serious concerns were also raised over the current prisoner classification system in the prison, with 10 low security prisoners taking part in the riot.
“Just this morning there are media reports that COVID-19 is still causing issues at the prison and there is no indication that the classification issue has been addressed in order to prevent another riot,’ Mrs Finocchiaro said. “The Gunner Government needs to be completely transparent with Territorians on the causes of the riot, the total cost to Territorians and concrete steps that they are going to take to protect correctional officers and staff at the prison from another riot,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.