Experienced South Australian correctional officers are being deployed at Alice Springs Correctional Centre to boost the facility’s capacity through an eight-week secondment.
Minister for Corrections Gerard Maley said the initiative, which is a first for NT Corrections, has been made possible by legislative reforms passed earlier this year.
“This is exactly why we changed the law, to give Corrections more flexibility and bring in skilled officers when and where they’re needed,” Minister Maley said.
“Each of these experienced officers will make a difference on the ground, supporting our staff and boosting frontline capacity in Alice Springs.”
“We promised 2025 would be a year of action, certainty and security, and this secondment highlights what can be achieved when government takes decisive steps to strengthen frontline corrections capacity.”
The six South Australian correctional officers arrived over the weekend and will complete a structured induction before being sworn in as Special Correctional Officers (SCOs).
Minister Maley said the secondment is part of a broader effort to grow and strengthen the NT corrections workforce.
“This initiative fits into our overall plan to boost staffing, modernise operations, and ensure we have the right people in the right places, including the rollout of G4S for court custody and prisoner transport in Darwin,” he said.
“Since July 2024, 163 new correctional officers have been recruited, and further intakes are planned in Darwin and Alice Springs this year. We’re on track to deliver a record 202 new correctional officers this financial year, marking the largest single workforce expansion in the Territory’s corrections history.”
