Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE - 2012-02-14
Last month there was a double breakout at Berrimah gaol. One of the escapees was there for a violent assault which caused the death of a man. Despite this, it took 19 hours before the public was told of the escape. Do you believe the public has a right to know when potentially dangerous prisoners are on the run? Can you explain to the House, and the people of the Northern Territory, why the information was released when it was?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Katherine for his question. As an ex-police officer, he would know that when there is an escaped prisoner it becomes a matter for the police and it is dealt with as an unlawful escape.
On Monday, 23 January, two prisoners escaped from the low security area at Darwin Correctional Centre. The low security area is patrolled and, following a final medical parade and muster at 7 pm, staff immediately contacted police. The exact time confirming the prisoners had escaped was 6.48 pm. Staff immediately conducted an emergency muster which confirmed two prisoners had escaped. Corrections officers, including the dog squad officer, also conducted a search of the prison surrounds.
NT Corrections is reviewing its security response and will take appropriate action to further mitigate the risk. Both offenders were recaptured and both have been charged with unlawful escape. They were given serious consequences within the system; neither can return to open security for three years ...
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I would like the minister to come to the point. The question was: do you believe the public has the right to know when potentially dangerous prisoners are on the run? And can you explain why the information was released when it was? We do not need a prcis of the events leading up.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you can come to the point, please.
Mr McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, that was the point. As I started to answer the question, it was a police operational matter. I have full confidence in the police. The matter was resolved properly, and timely. Those escapees are now suffering serious consequences for their behaviour.
In terms of supporting the police – that is what I did. The police handled that matter and made operational decisions to bring about the resolution to this situation in around 24 hours. I believe this was conducted appropriately and effectively. It sends a very clear signal to other prisoners that escape from custody is not on and will be dealt with severely.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Katherine for his question. As an ex-police officer, he would know that when there is an escaped prisoner it becomes a matter for the police and it is dealt with as an unlawful escape.
On Monday, 23 January, two prisoners escaped from the low security area at Darwin Correctional Centre. The low security area is patrolled and, following a final medical parade and muster at 7 pm, staff immediately contacted police. The exact time confirming the prisoners had escaped was 6.48 pm. Staff immediately conducted an emergency muster which confirmed two prisoners had escaped. Corrections officers, including the dog squad officer, also conducted a search of the prison surrounds.
NT Corrections is reviewing its security response and will take appropriate action to further mitigate the risk. Both offenders were recaptured and both have been charged with unlawful escape. They were given serious consequences within the system; neither can return to open security for three years ...
Mr WESTRA van HOLTHE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I would like the minister to come to the point. The question was: do you believe the public has the right to know when potentially dangerous prisoners are on the run? And can you explain why the information was released when it was? We do not need a prcis of the events leading up.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you can come to the point, please.
Mr McCARTHY: Madam Speaker, that was the point. As I started to answer the question, it was a police operational matter. I have full confidence in the police. The matter was resolved properly, and timely. Those escapees are now suffering serious consequences for their behaviour.
In terms of supporting the police – that is what I did. The police handled that matter and made operational decisions to bring about the resolution to this situation in around 24 hours. I believe this was conducted appropriately and effectively. It sends a very clear signal to other prisoners that escape from custody is not on and will be dealt with severely.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016