Police have quelled a serious riot in (Don Dale Youth Detention Centre), the notorious Dandell youth detention centre in the northern territory of Darwin, where prisoners deliberately set fire to damage prison facilities.
Police in the Northern Territory received reports of riots at Dandell Youth Detention Center around 06:45 on Tuesday evening, sending at least 15 police vehicles to the scene, including an emergency tactical response unit, Radio 9 reported. Firefighters and emergency workers also rushed to the scene.
About three hours later, the Dandell Youth Detention Centre glowed with flames and smoke. After midnight, police finally quelled the riot and about 12 prisoners were taken away in police cars.
It was alleged that a prisoner in custody had taken the key of the staff member and opened the cell door. Some prisoners succeeded in obtaining electric tools and began to destroy the fence. A staff member in the detention centre was suspected to have been injured in the riot.
The Dendell Youth Detention Centre drew national attention in 2016, when the Australian Broadcasting Corporation revealed videos of cruel treatment of prisoners in detention centres.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry stepped in to uncover disturbing evidence of ill-treatment, culminating in the release of 227 recommendations for corrective action in November.
The Northern Territory government accepted a proposal earlier this year to close the Dandell juvenile detention centre.
However, the Dandell juvenile detention center continues to unravel scandals. In May, a number of guards in the detention center were injured by prisoners. In July, four more prisoners deliberately set fire.
