Making custody count: CLP Government driving real reform for safer communities

18 November 2025

Under the Finocchiaro CLP Government, time in custody is being made to count with a new focus on rehabilitation, education, and jobs that reduce reoffending and make communities safer.

The Department of Corrections is driving the Territory’s largest-ever rehabilitation and reintegration reform, expanding programs, boosting Aboriginal-led healing initiatives, and tackling the root causes of offending.

Minister for Corrections Gerard Maley said the reforms are rebuilding a corrections system that had lost its way - to one that restores accountability, delivers results, and protects the community.

“For too long, rehabilitation was neglected under the former Labor Government. We’re changing that,” Mr Maley said.

“In our year of action, certainty and security, this Government is making offenders face their behaviour, gain real skills, and return to their communities as safer, more responsible people. We’re breaking the cycle of crime - not managing it.”

The new Rehabilitation and Reintegration Framework includes:

• More frontline staff to expand program delivery and reduce disruptions
• Three new Aboriginal-led healing initiatives targeting domestic, family and sexual violence
• Better disability support, with a dedicated NDIS referral team
• Upgraded rehabilitation spaces in Alice Springs; and
• Stronger data and accountability to measure results and drive continuous improvement.

Already, 30 rehabilitation programs have been delivered in the past three months, with completion rates for domestic and family violence programs now above 95%.

Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley said:

“Corrections have gone from crisis to reform. We’ve stabilised the system, rebuilt our workforce, and are now delivering programs that work.”

“In just three months, 264 prisoners have graduated from rehabilitation programs - that’s 264 opportunities for behaviour change, accountability and safer communities.”

“Every contact in custody is a chance to change behaviour. This framework ensures we make every one of those chances count.”

This reform agenda delivers on the CLP Government’s Reducing Crime Strategy - reducing reoffending, rebuilding accountability, and keeping Territorians safe.

Media contact: Olivia Sherlock – 0407 089 389

Image: Rehabilitation and Reintegration Launch, Darwin Correctional Centre