Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley says he’s already been in contact with his interstate counterparts about borrowing experienced officers to help out in NT prisons, suggesting around 100 are needed. 

He told Katie Woolf the finishing touches are being made to demountable at Berrimah to house about 100 low-security prisoners and the 96-bed modular facility in Alice Springs is expected to be operational next week. 

Commissioner Varley says he hopes to get rehabilitation programs and community service back up and running as soon as possible but it won’t happen amid ongoing lockdowns. 

He says Darwin prison was entirely locked down on Saturday, family visits were cancelled and it was back to basics being medical, meals and hygiene due to being short about 45 staff. 

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