The Prime Minister has batted away the need for UN intervention in the Northern Territory justice system, despite calls from a senior Indigenous MP.

The corrections system in the NT has been under significant strain, with the CLP government announcing plans to legislate private contractors to work at prisons across the Territory.

Data shows 2,658 prisoners are being held across all prisons and watch houses in the NT—most of them First Nations. The total number has increased by more than 500 since the CLP won last August's election, after the incoming government promised to enact several 'tough on crime' laws.

More than one per cent of all Territorians are currently behind bars, the second highest rate of incarceration in the world, behind only El Salvador.

Last week, Independent politician Yiŋiya Mark Guyula said he had written to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, calling for them to visit the NT.

"My office is hearing terrible stories about what is happening in police watch houses," the Yolŋu man of the Djambarrpuyŋu clan and the Liya-Dhälinymirr people said.

"We are hearing that people are being held for weeks and months in terrible conditions where there is severe overcrowding, access to showers is only happening every 4 or more days, the lights are on all the time so people can't sleep, people are sometimes sleeping quite near to toilet bowls because there is no space."

Speaking to reporters in Alice Springs on Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the decision to involve the UN wasn't a commonwealth responsibility, mirroring statements from other ministers in his government.

"I haven't given what UN people visit any thought, I've got to say," Mr Albanese said in response to a question asking if he would support the visit of a Special Rapporteur to inspect prisons facilities.

"NT prisons are run by the Northern Territory Government. That's a matter for the Northern Territory Government."

In response, social justice advocacy group GetUp said they were "deeply concerned" with the Prime Minister's response.

"This is an outright abandonment of federal responsibility," Jason Field, GetUp First Nations Campaign Director, said.

"This is yet another example of governments failing to address the ongoing human rights abuses suffered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

"The Closing the Gap framework itself needs urgent review. It is a deficit-based approach that fails to deliver real, community-led outcomes. We need a fundamental shift in how policy is developed and delivered for our people - one that prioritises empowerment, not paternalism."

The federal government has routinely highlighted the state's responsibility for youth justice, but Queensland's Child and Family Commissioner Natalie Lewis told a senate inquiry into youth justice this week this was no longer an option.

"The Commonwealth can and should take responsibility for limiting how far that pendulum can swing in any jurisdiction at any given time," she said.

The NT Government, who appear to celebrate increased prison numbers, arguing they are enacting their election mandate to keep the community safe, seem unlikely to be pressing for a UN visit.

Speaking on ABC radio last week, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said she believed the UN Special Rapporteur had "better things to do" than get involved in the prison situation in the Territory.

"We certainly have better things to do than spend resources walking around," she said.

Asked if it means she wouldn't welcome the UN's involvement, Ms Finocchiaro said: "I wouldn't be at the airport ready to shake his hand to say 'welcome,' I can tell you that much."

On Friday they were forced to deny they were privatising prisons after they announced a new bill will allow Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley to appoint subcontracted personnel.

"We're not about privatising prisons, we're about increasing the workforce. We know that the prison numbers have gone up substantially over the last five months and the workforce hasn't kicked up," Corrections Minister Gerard Maley said.