A man who allegedly escaped from a correctional facility in Howard Springs, Northern Territory, earlier this week has been recaptured. Authorities received reports of his escape around 10.20pm on Tuesday, after he was last seen at 7pm during a routine bed check. The escape was flagged when his electronic monitoring device was found removed 16 kilometres away.
Subsequent police efforts led to his arrest this afternoon without incident on a public bus in the Malak area. He is now back in police custody. This incident follows a recent escape from the Central Business District (CBD) watch house.
In related news, the Northern Territory government announced that on Monday, NT Corrections staff and about 90 inmates left the Palmerston Watch House, a decision hailed by Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley as a significant step in a new corrections strategy. Maley explained that this change allows police to use the facility for arrests and preliminary processing, a shift long promised by the Labour government.
Acting Police Commissioner Martin Dole welcomed the increased facilities for police, acknowledging that current pressures on the justice system demand alternative arrangements for inmates who should ideally be under correctional supervision. Although Darwin and Alice Springs watch houses will continue functioning as correctional facilities, there are plans for transferring inmates from the Alice Springs watch house to the local prison by the end of the week. This relocation is viewed as necessary to facilitate police operations, given the backlog in cases resulting from overpopulated watch houses.
Additionally, the government plans to assist with staffing through security company G4S, set to commence next week, a move that has faced criticism from correctional officers concerned about safety and the implications of privatisation.
In a further development, the Berrimah Correctional Facility is set to increase its capacity with the addition of temporary 100-bed dormitories, enabling it to accommodate over 360 inmates. Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley reported ongoing construction efforts and confirmed that further expansions may rise to 400 beds soon.
Overall, these transformations in Northern Territory’s corrections system reflect a substantial shift aimed at addressing current challenges within the justice framework while grappling with public and staff concerns over safety and operational efficacy.