Three NT Corrections Officers Stood Down Over Prisoner Escape

Three Northern Territory corrections officers have been stood down with pay over a prisoner escape in Darwin over the weekend.

On Sunday night, Isaac Thompson, 26, allegedly escaped corrections staff while being escorted from an ambulance into the Royal Darwin Hospital emergency department, triggering a more than 48-hour manhunt.

Police have alleged Mr Thompson is a "known associate of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang".

Mr Thompson was found and arrested yesterday and has been charged with escaping from lawful custody, and a 45-year-old man has been charged with aiding his escape.

Today, Acting NT Deputy Corrections Commissioner Kate Chambers said three workers with the NT Department of Corrections had been put on administrative leave with pay over the incident.

"There is no indication there is wrongdoing on their part by putting them on administrative leave," she said.

"There is a need for us to undertake a thorough investigation and to do that with community safety in mind and with our staff's wellbeing in mind."

Ms Chambers said an immediate initial investigation into the incident had been undertaken, but she had since commissioned a further investigation.

She said the initial assessment had allowed the department to take immediate action for community safety and staff safety.

Ms Chambers said the new investigation would be completed by an external non-government body, but did not reveal who would be leading that review.

She said the review was likely to be finalised in the next 14 days.

NT Corrections has confirmed no staff have been suspended over two other escapes from custody in Darwin in recent weeks, both of which also allegedly involved men linked to the Mongols.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the NT government said "any prisoner escape is unacceptable".

"The CLP Government supports the Commissioner and the Department of Corrections in taking immediate action, including standing officers down while independent investigations are completed and reinforcing compliance with established procedures," they said.

"We will allow those investigations to run their course and will act on the findings to further strengthen the safety and security of our correctional system."

Police reveal more details of arrest

Police have today charged Mr Thompson with three offences: escape from lawful custody, assaulting a worker, and theft.

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They have also charged a 45-year-old man — who they say was arrested "without incident" during the operation to find Mr Thompson — with aiding escape from lawful custody and breach of bail.

Police revealed the charges in a statement today, where they also provided further details of Mr Thompson's arrest.

An NT Police spokesperson said after he allegedly fled custody on Sunday, Mr Thompson was seen in the Darwin suburb of Lyons later that evening, where he unsuccessfully approached members of the public asking for a lift.

They said after he had been on the run for three days, police received information that led investigators to a home in Darwin River.

At about 12:30pm yesterday, members from the Fugitive Taskforce and Dog Operations Unit attended a residence in Darwin River, where Mr Thompson was arrested without incident.

Detective Sergeant Jon Spencer said Mr Thompson's arrest had been the product of "persistent police work and valuable information provided by members of the public".

"Anyone who escapes lawful custody can expect a relentless police response," he said.

"Police are also examining whether there are links between recent escape incidents, including whether offenders have received assistance while evading police."

Mr Thompson faced the Darwin Local Court today, and has been remanded in custody until his next scheduled appearance on July 15.