"Terrible" jail conditions in the Northern Territory have prompted one independent politician to raise human rights concerns with the United Nations.

The latest corrections data from this week indicates 2,658 prisoners are being held across all correctional facilities and watch houses in the NT—the majority of them First Nations.

The total number has increased by more than 400 since the CLP won last August's election, after the incoming government promised to enact several 'tough on crime' laws.

This 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.

The Yolŋu man of the Djambarrpuyŋu clan and the Liya-Dhälinymirr people has been outspoken in his criticism of the CLP government's new policies, saying in November he was "disappointed to be a part of this Parliament that is lowering the age of criminal responsibility".

The Member for Mulka said he has asked the UN for "oversight of what is happening in our jails right now, and what is happening for First Nations people more broadly," the ABC reported.

"This situation is very concerning, and it will not create safer communities because people will be scarred by this experience," Mr Guyula said.

"This will be another group of people damaged by government laws and policies that have failed to address the real issues."

Mr Guyula said members of the crossbench had asked to visit the facilities however had been denied by the government.

Eighteen people to a cell, people sleeping on concrete floors next to toilets, lights left on 24/7, lack of safe drinking water, people allowed showers only every four days.

What kind of country are we becoming? https://t.co/OHjJxbD5fs

— Senator Lidia Thorpe (@SenatorThorpe) January 30, 2025

Last year, Mr Guyula said the new laws introduced by the CLP would "not make our communities a safer place" and would "not protect our children or fix the problem of crime".

This week he said his office had received reports of "terrible conditions" inside facilities across the NT that mirrored those of a "third-world country or maybe worse".

"Access to showers is only happening every four 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," he said.

"There are 18 people stuffed into a cell and many people are sleeping on the floor without bedding."

Writing on social media, he added: "We need to do something about the growing numbers of Aboriginal people in jail in the NT."

"Putting everyone in overcrowded jails will not bring solutions. There's got to be a way. This is not justice. We need resources for community-led solutions, so we can help people rehabilitate and find the pathway to safe communities."

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Independent Federal Senator Lidia Thorpe reacted to Mr Guyula's information with incredulity.

"Eighteen people to a cell, people sleeping on concrete floors next to toilets, lights left on 24/7, lack of safe drinking water, people allowed showers only every four days," she said.

"What kind of country are we becoming?"

Speaking on ABC radio on Thursday, 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."

The Chief Minister admitted it was "very hard" to deliver rehabilitative programs in prisons currently due to the overcrowding, which sees more than 1 per cent of the entire NT population behind bars.

"We're not sugar coating this. We're not pretending this is a great situation, and everyone in prison is having a great time, but nor should they," Ms Finocchiaro said.

"They are in prison, and we have to do what's right for community safety."

The Chief Minister said 96 new beds would come online in the Red Centre within the next couple of days after 48 beds were made available in Darwin this week.