Details

The Inquiry set out to investigate the operations of the child protection and youth detention systems in the Northern Territory, to assess whether there were any breaches of the law, or failures of government to provide proper oversight and to act on recommendations of earlier inquiries. It was also charged with making recommendations for future improvements.

The Process
The Inquiry conducted its investigation by means of written submissions and witness statements; community visits and meetings; public hearings; archival research; site visits; round tables.

Governing Legislation
The Inquiry was constituted by Royal Commissions Act 1902; NT Inquiries Act 1945.

Governing Authority
National and territory governments.

Inquiry Locations
Australia; Northern Territory; Darwin, Alice Springs, with outreach visits to nine Indigenous communities across the Nothern Territory. The Commissioners also visited youth justice facilities in the other states of Australia and in New Zealand.

Public Hearings
Public hearings were conducted in Darwin and Alice Springs. The hearing were streamed live online.

Private Sessions
There were no formal private hearings, but public hearings could be closed to the public to protect vulnerable witnesses.

Case Studies
There were twelve case studies.

Written Submissions
Over 400 written submissions were received.

Research
The Commission staff engaged in locating and accessing 250 relevant documents (case files, incident reports, complaint files, investigation reports, policies and procedures and statistical reports).

Roundtable Discussions
As part of its work, the Commission heard from a range of people involved in youth detention and the child protection systems and conducted 13 roundtable and targeted meetings.

Witnesses
214 witnesses gave evidence, including 24 vulnerable witnesses. An additional 480 witness statements and 16 recorded stories were submitted.

Gender
The relevant population is overwhelmingly male.

Institutions
Don Dale Youth Detention Centre (Darwin), Darwin Watchhouse, Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre, Aranda House (Alice Springs).

Findings
The Inquiry found that youth detention centres were not fit for accommodating and rehabilitating children and young people and that the Northern Territory Government had failed in its responsibility towards children in out of home care.

Recommendations
The Commission made 227 recommendations in relation to preventing children coming into care or detention, reforming judicial processes, and improving the quality of both out of home care and juvenile detention facilities.