Multiple Kids In Don Dale Have Been Hospitalised For Self-Harming
A Royal Commission in 2017 recommended Don Dale be immediately shut down.
Multiple children locked up at Don Dale have been hospitalised for self-harm, sparking renewed concern over a mental health crisis at the controversial youth detention facility.
— Content Warning: This story discusses self-harm and suicide attempts —
There have been over 50 incidents of self-harm or attempted suicide at Don Dale between July and December 2021 — a 500 percent increase from the year prior, according to the Department of Territory Families, Housing, and Communities
Last weekend alone, four children inside the facility were taken to Royal Darwin Hospital for self-harm, including a 16-year-old on Sunday night after reportedly stabbing himself.
“I have visited Don Dale Youth Detention Centre twice this week, and am seriously concerned about the evident deteriorating mental health of children in Done Dale Youth Detention Centre,” said Northern Territory Acting Children’s Commissioner Nicole Hucks to the ABC.
The NT Government strengthened laws last May to make it harder for youth offenders to receive bail, leading to a spike of nearly 60 young people a day being detained across the territory at the time — most of whom were Indigenous.
Don Dale had also been redesigned to fit 30 percent more young people, despite a Royal Commission in 2017 recommending the facility be immediately and permanently closed down over “systemic and shocking failures” in child protection obligations.
“Young people in the Northern Territory’s detention centres have access to a comprehensive range of primary and allied health care services to respond to their physical and wellbeing requirements,” said Territory Families Minister Kate Worden.
“The identification, response, and management of young people at risk of self-harm or suicide is a complex issue requiring an integrated and collaborative approach involving Youth Justice Staff, Danila Dilba Health Service, and other health service providers.”
In May, the NT Government settled a $35 million class action with former youth detainees — including hundreds of people who spent time in Don Dale — over correctional facility mistreatment, according to NITV.