The Northern Territory Department of Corrections Commissioner has acknowledged the release of an inquiry report into youth detention from the NT Children’s Commissioner, coming to the defence of his staff who he said carry out a “difficult, demanding job with integrity and care”.
Children’s Commissioner Shahleena Musk found “the overall trajectory of youth detention in the NT – particularly for Central Australian young people – has worsened” since the transfer of youth detainees from Alice Springs to Darwin began in 2023.
The NT Government has rejected every recommendation made from the inquiry, including calls for the Department to commit to following its own policies.
In a statement, NT Commissioner of Corrections, Matthew Varley said that while the Department respects the important oversight role of the Children’s Commissioner, it was essential that Territorians have a clear understanding of the operational reality in which Youth Justice Officers work every day, and the context behind the matters raised.
He said the inquiry examined an historic period in 2023–24, when the former Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre was undergoing major refurbishment under a different department.
“Using that exceptional and transitional period to judge the current youth justice system risks giving a distorted picture that does not reflect the professionalism, integrity and genuine care shown by my Youth Justice staff working today,” said Commissioner Varley.
“I have witnessed firsthand the calm, careful and compassionate skills my officers use to provide security, structure and services in support of youth detainees who too often have too few people in their lives as positive role models.
“Our Youth Justice Officers carry out a difficult, demanding job with integrity and care. They work with young people who present with complex and overlapping needs – disability, trauma, cognitive impairment, and profound instability in their lives. They are not letting these young people down; too many have been failed long before they reach our custody. The public can have confidence that our officers uphold safety, dignity and the law every day.”
Commissioner Varley said the Department chad arefully considered the Commissioner’s recommendations and set out clear reasons for not accepting them.
“Several proposals are beyond our legal authority. Others are not operationally practicable or would impose non‑legislated obligations in time‑critical, high‑risk scenarios. We continue to meet our statutory obligations and apply existing policies and procedures appropriately,” he said.
The Children’s Commissioner’s statement also links departmental actions to community safety outcomes and re‑offending risk.
“We share the goal of reducing re‑offending – but must be clear about systemic constraints. High remand rates, short and unpredictable stays, rapidly changing court outcomes, and limited external supports all complicate through‑care in ways outside the control of my staff. Officers facilitate access to services and programs every day; they are not the architects of the broader social determinants driving contact between these young people and the justice system,” said Commissioner Varley.
He said the inquiry period also showed the unreported effort of Corrections staff, which deserved recognition.
“Even within the exceptional circumstances of 2023–24, there were documented examples of positive practice that deserve recognition: ASYDC staff were flown to Darwin to stabilise operations and help young people transition; family contact was facilitated in various ways; disability supports were pursued in custody where feasible. These are real efforts by real officers – undertaken quietly, professionally and with care for young people.”
“The Commissioner’s statement uses strong, absolutist language, including that outcomes have “worsened”, that practices “contradict best practice”, and that it is “completely unacceptable” that families are not contacted prior to transfer. Those assertions do not reflect the legal, logistical and operational realities outlined above, nor the limitations imposed by court orders, interpreter scarcity and the frequent absence or inaccessibility of family networks. I will continue to correct the record where commentary risks unfairly attributing systemic issues to frontline officers.”
Commissioner Varley said he remained proud of his Youth Justice officers and the department’s commitment to continuous improvement.
“I am immensely proud of our Youth Justice Officers. They manage complex behaviour, respond to crises, facilitate family contact, support access to health and disability services, and explain decisions in accessible ways – every day. We will keep improving where we can, but I will always defend my staff against criticism that does not reflect the operational reality.”
