4 April 2025
Northern Territory Watch Houses continue to detain correctional prisoners, despite the NT Government’s explicit pledge to end the practice.
“I can inform the Assembly that Corrections will no longer staff or use operational police watch houses in Palmerston and Alice Springs. By Monday 10 March 2025, all prisoners were moved from Palmerston Watch House to Holtze and Berrimah, with final transfers in Alice Springs Correctional Centre completed by 16 March. This means that watch houses are available to protect Territorians and allow police to move freely in their duties.”
– Minister Gerard Maley, 18 March 2025, NT Hansard.
Northern Territory Police Association President Nathan Finn expressed frustration over the ongoing issue, stating that police officers in Palmerston, Katherine, and Alice Springs are still being forced to act as correctional officers with police watch houses being used to house correctional prisoners.
“This is despite a direct commitment from Corrections Minister Gerard Maley that this practice would stop,” President Finn said.
“Two weeks after the Government assured officers that watch houses would be freed up, we find ourselves in exactly the same situation.”
As of 3 April 2025, 69 correctional prisoners remained in Palmerston Police Watch House, 12 in Katherine, and 3 in Alice Springs.
President Finn criticised the government’s financial priorities, pointing out that while a private security company is being funded $1.3 million every six months to support Correctional staffing, NT Police receive no extra funding for assisting Corrections. All whilst our members continue to bear the brunt of this crisis and continue to be the ones struggling to secure fair wage negotiations.
“Our police force is exhausted, overworked, and undervalued. We are fed up with taking on the responsibilities of other agencies without recognition or support.
“This is yet another example of our officers being disrespected and taken for granted.”
The NT Police Association is calling on the Government to take immediate action:
End the use of watch houses for correctional prisoners as promised
Abolish the insulting 3% wage cap for police officers.
Engage in meaningful negotiations for a strong and fair pay agreement.
"This government must step up, acknowledge the real workload of our police force, deliver the resources police need to do their job, and show them the respect they deserve by making a reasonable pay offer.
"Enough is enough,” said President Nathan Finn.
