Children from the Don Dale prison could be moved to the Wickham Point immigration detention facility in the wake of the damning Four Corners report, the NT Government says.
A spokesman for the Chief Minister confirmed the Northern Territory Government was “considering” immediate alternative accommodation for juvenile detainees in Darwin, with Wickham Point detention centre “one option”.
The government has been under intense pressure over its treatment of young detainees since theABC Four Corners report aired this week.
The Federal Government announced the decommissioning of the Wickham Point, and neighbouring Bladin Point, immigration facilities in 2016 with the last remaining detainees relocated in June this year.
More to come.
This post originally appeared on ABC News.
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Top Comments
I think the immediate issue is the mental health and physical safety of the children. Not sure why the moving of the kids is the priority number one. Therapy, immediate orders to stop strip searching, physical restraint, solitary confinement, deprivation hoods should be priority. We don't need an investigated to stop abuse. These people are employed under government policies and procedures.
Exactly. Doesn't matter where you put them if the same people are running the place.
It is probably easier and more efficient to relocate the kids than replace the staff.
Probably, and it looks like something is done. EVen the national Childrens' Commissioner never stopped talking about the venue, like that is THE issue. I bet the Royal Commission will be a cheap fix too. Small TOR's, pumped out within months, will say everyone needs training; the issues are historic; bla bla. That damn NT needs external guidance and expertise.
Yeah, just stunningly stupid IMO. Can't help but wonder what these staff do in their home lives to deal with traumatised/non compliant kids. Training doesn't give you compassion and adherence to human rights and I know that is about all we will hear about in spades, "they need more training". Just hideous.