Rising prison numbers, extended pre-trial detention periods, and incidents of violent attacks within detention facilities have been highlighted in a critical report submitted to the Senate inquiry on youth justice by the Northern Territory's leading Aboriginal legal services organization.
The Northern Australia Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) submitted a second response to the investigation in January, 15 months following its first report in August 2024.
NAAJA mentioned a range of legislative and policy changes and "diminished supervision and responsibility within the youth justice system" as the basis for submitting an updated version.
The release, disclosed last week, outlined a number of contentious changes implemented by the NT government since 2024, including thereducing the age at which someone can be held legally responsible for crimes to 10 years old, tougher bail lawsfor youth, and thereintroduction of spit hoods.
"The effects of these changes have been quick to appear and have created significant strain on the NT's legal system," NAAJA stated.
Children held for 'substantial' durations of time
The report references data from the Departments of Corrections indicating that the youth detention rate in the NT has doubled in the last year, along with an increase in the number of children and teenagers held in police holding cells.
"Approximately 400 Aboriginal youth were detained in NT police watch houses during a six-month period in 2025, even though there have been extensive reports about the human rights concerns related to these facilities," the submission stated.
The data also indicates that most young individuals in detention are currently awaiting trial, with the average period of pre-trial detention now standing at 56 days.
The time during which an individual is held in detention without having been convicted of a crime is known as remand.
NAAJA stated that numerous young individuals had their charges dismissed following extended periods in detention facilities.
The document included a case of a child between the ages of 10 and 14 who remained in detention for 238 days before the charges were dismissed.
Children moved from Alice Springs to Darwin
The application also covered themovement of young individuals from Alice Springs to Darwinafter the closing of the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre.
As per NAAJA, youth are being detained at an adult processing center prior to being restrained and transported via commercial flights to Darwin.
"The compulsory movement separates young individuals from their family, community, culture, language, and homeland," the submission mentioned.
The NAAJA reported that the removal of children from Alice Springs has affected their access to legal assistance and caused delays in their return.
In certain situations, young individuals are placed in child protection housing while waiting to be sent back, leading to additional, avoidable contact with the child protection system.
The submission provided an example of a NAAJA client who was admitted to the intensive care unit following a "serious attack by several detainees," leading to "continued medical issues" after being moved from Alice Springs to Darwin.
The young individual's legal representative was not informed of the event and only became aware of it once another young person shared the information with NAAJA.
"When NAAJA first inquired, the incident was denied," the submission said.
In a different case, a young individual remained in detention for an extended period because there were no available bail accommodations and there were delays in receiving child protection reports.
In response to what it describes as the NT government's "refusal" to collaborate with Aboriginal stakeholders, NAAJA has called on the federal government to increase its involvement in youth justice issues.
Among the proposed actions, NAAJA advocated for "binding national minimum youth justice standards" and enhanced federal financial support for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).
Northern Territory Attorney-General Marie-Clare Boothby supported the government's strategy regarding juvenile offenders.
"We were chosen to perform a task — to lower crime rates in the Northern Territory," she stated.
Whether you are a child or an adult, if you commit offenses, you will be subject to our legal system.
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