Vale Commissioner Scott McNairn

Paul Wiles photo

Flags at all Northern Territory correctional services were flown at half mast today following the death of NT Correctional Services Commissioner Scott McNairn.

Mr McNairn, who had more than 30 years experience in prisons across the world, died in a Brisbane hospital on Tuesday surrounded by his family.

As Australia continues to address the growing and massive over representation of First Nations Peoples in jail, a disturbing acknowledgement from the Northern Territory reveals many inmates feel safer in prison than they do in their own communities.

NT Corrections Commissioner Scott McNairn told CAAMA Radio in 2020 that compared to other jurisdictions there are more offenders in the Northern Territory in protective custody than under community supervision.

Former NT Correntctions Commissioner Scott McNairn
NT Corrections Commissioner Scott McNairn
photo Paul Wiles
Scott McNairn on the use of prisons instead of intervention programs.
Paul Wiles photo