The decision to move female prisoners from Central Australia to Darwin without prior notice or consent has been criticised by a lived experience organisation.
NT News reported on Sunday evening approximately 35 female prisoners from the Alice Spring Correctional Centre (ASCC) boarded a chartered flight to be sent to Darwin Correctional Centre (DCC).
Prior to this, 20 men disembarked a flight in Alice Springs from Darwin, where they are now incarcerated at ASCC.
The National Network of Formerly Incarcerated women and Girls (National Network) said they were told the women had been moved without prior notice.
"This forced transfer is in direct violation of the women's rights, placing significant barriers between the women, their families, and vital re-entry and support services," National Network member Debbie Kilroy said.
Ms Kilroy said the "harmful, unilateral" decision posed a real risk of deaths in custody due to increased mental distress.
"It speaks to a broader, systemic targeting of Aboriginal communities, which is exacerbated by ongoing political and media rhetoric aimed at criminalising and marginalising Aboriginal people in Australia," she said.
NT News reported Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley admitted women were sleeping on mattresses on the floor due to a lack of space.
"I'm not going to make any apologies for the fact that these prisoners are on mattresses on the floor. They're on mattresses in watch houses, I'd point out, and these ones here in prison actually have access to better facilities than they do in watch houses," Mr Varley said on Sunday.
Fellow member Tabitha Lean said Darwin's distance from Alice Springs created significant barriers for the inmates to see their family and remain connected to culture.
"This decision disregards the foundational recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, which clearly states that Aboriginal people should be detained as close to their family or community as possible to maintain vital cultural and familial connections," Ms Lean said.
It comes as the NT Child Commissioner last week said she was "deeply concerned" by the new CLP government's plan to transfer children from Central Australia to Darwin.
"Whilst they may have been deprived of their liberty, these children still have the right to be connected to their culture, their loved ones and their community," Commissioner Shahleena Musk, a Larrakia woman and former crown prosecutor, said.
Citing increased arrests and remand, Mr Varley initiated six emergency actions on Friday last week in response to a record high 2370 inmates being housed in the NT.
Experts argue the number will only increase with the CLP's new laws to lower the age of criminal responsibility.
Corrections Minister Gerard Maley defended Mr Varley and his "decisive action to address this evolving emergency situation".
Citing the government's oft repeated line about community safety, Minister Maley said: "This isn't about competing priorities; we are committed to protecting the community and safeguarding our corrections system".
"We are addressing both pressing issues concurrently," he said.
