A leading Northern Territory Indigenous legal organisation has called on the new CLP government to provide "urgent independent oversight" of the Territory's overflowing prisons.

Last week, the government announced an increase in prison capacity across the NT to 3000 beds by 2028, with data showing the territory currently houses 2324 inmates, with only 2177 beds across the prisons and work camps.

903 prisoners were on remand in 2024 - up from 335 in 2020 - with many to eventually be found not guilty, have their charges withdrawn, or if found guilty, sentenced to non-custodial sentences.

Earlier this week, it was reported 35 female prisoners were transferred from Alice Springs, to be housed in "overcrowded and inappropriate conditions" at the Darwin Correctional Centre, whilst 20 men were transferred from Darwin Correctional Centre to Alice Springs Correctional Centre.

Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley admitted on the weekend 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," he said.

On Wednesday, the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) said steps needed to be taken to address the increased risks of harm.

"These transfer arrangements have been put in place as a result of overcrowding in Northern Territory prisons and watchhouses and will see detainees being transferred away from family, their community support structures, and legal services," a NAAJA spokesperson said.

"NAAJA is calling on the NT Government to take urgent steps to ensure the safety of Aboriginal people in custody and to reduce the pressure on prison numbers."

The organisation said this included the urgent appointment of independent monitors to report on conditions in prisons to ensure the operations of the facilities do not overtake or interfere with the "human rights and dignity of those in custody".

Last week it was revealed part of the new prison expansion will see children transported from Central Australia to Darwin to be housed 1500 km away from their family and culture.

The Northern Territory children's commissioner, Shahleena Musk, said she was "deeply concerned" by the announcement.

"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 Musk, a Larrakia woman and former crown prosecutor, said.

NAAJA's acting deputy chief executive, Matthew Connop, said "Aboriginal people in custody need to be close to their home communities," arguing it is "vital" families can visit and inmates can access local support services.

"This is especially important for incredibly vulnerable Aboriginal children and young people," he said.

"The current overcrowding is leading to an increased use of lockdowns, and this is a disaster waiting to happen."