Netflix star Matt Wright transferred to Darwin jail’s Complex Behavioural Unit amid VIP treatment claims

A celebrity inmate serving a relatively short jail term has been moved into one of the Northern Territory’s most specialised prison units – complete with recreational facilities – sparking unrest among correctional officers who say they have no idea who signed off on the “outrageous” transfer.

Netflix star Matt Wright has been transferred to an air-conditioned specialist unit inside Darwin Correctional Centre, while more than 1300 inmates endure overcrowded and stifling conditions across the rest of the jail, in a move that has raised fresh questions about how high-profile inmates are classified.

The Nightly can confirm the reality television star, currently serving a five-month non-parole period, was recently moved into the Complex Behavioural Unit (CBU), also known as section 20, within the Holtz jail.

Multiple sources within NT’s justice system have confirmed the transfer.

The CBU – which has a prisoner waitlist – is a specialist facility within the Darwin Correctional Precinct, originally conceived as a forensic mental health-style unit.

The purpose-built facility was originally designed for inmates with significant mental health conditions, disability or complex behavioural needs, including those found unfit to plead or not guilty by reason of mental impairment.

There are reportedly about 10 prisoners awaiting placement in the CBU, which has a basketball court, library, music room and an exercise area.

It is physically separated from the most overcrowded accommodation blocks in sectors 5 and 7, and unlike much of the rest of the jail, the CBU is air-conditioned.

The Northern Territory’s prison system is currently operating well above official capacity, with more than 1300 inmates being held at Darwin Correctional Centre, which is almost 300 above its designed limit.

On December 12, Wright was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment – to be suspended after five months – after being found guilty on two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The charges related to his attempts to obstruct investigations into a 2022 chopper crash that killed his Netflix co-star Chris Wilson and left pilot Sebastian Robinson paraplegic.

The decision to recently transfer Wright, a former Australian Tourism ambassador, has caused consternation among prison officers.

Some correctional officers believe the 46-year-old has received “VIP treatment” and say they were not consulted about the decision to move the high-profile inmate into the CBU.

The central question now is who authorised the placement and whether it was consistent with the purpose and eligibility criteria of the unit.

In a statement to The Nightly, NT Corrections declined to answer detailed questions, including whether Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley – or someone else – signed off on Wright’s transfer.

“All prisoners received into custody by NT Corrections are placed within the correctional system as deemed appropriate following an intake process and prisoner classification assessment,” a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

“For safety, security and privacy reasons, the Department of Corrections does not comment on the classification and placement of individual prisoners.”

The Nightly has pressed the department for clarification on who has the authority to approve placements in the CBU, how the waiting list is managed and whether executive sign-off was required in this case.

Those questions remain unanswered.

The Nightly has also put questions to NT Corrections Minister Gerard Maley, including whether he was briefed on the decision and what oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure specialist beds are allocated based on need rather than profile.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Dheran Young has called for transparency around CBU placements.

“At a time when the Northern Territory has the highest incarceration rates in the country and one of the fastest-growing youth detention populations, Territorians deserve transparency about how specialist beds are being allocated,” he said.

“It is deeply concerning if specialist high-needs units are being used in a way that does not reflect clinical priority, particularly when vulnerable Territorians, including young people with complex trauma and mental health needs, are waiting for appropriate care.

“This is not about one individual. It is about fairness, transparency, and whether the system is operating on medical need and evidence-based policy.

“The CLP government needs to come clean and explain how a high-profile prisoner is housed in an air-conditioned specialist unit with private recreational facilities while others remain on waitlists.”

Against that backdrop, family members of prisoners have described harsh conditions – including filthy cells, ‘biohazards’, sweltering heat and severe overcrowding – in mainstream accommodation blocks.

Kathryn Mills, whose son Jake Fenner is currently incarcerated at Darwin Correctional Centre, posted a comment on Mr Young’s Facebook page alleging her son has been without running water in his cell for months.

“My son hasn’t any water in his cell,” she wrote this week.

“Can’t shower, piss, brush teeth. Been like this for months.

“Has to fill up a water bottle when they get let out and try and wash himself with that.”

Wright’s representatives declined to comment on whether he or his legal team made any representations regarding his prison placement.

This comes as Wright’s window to appeal his guilty verdicts and sentence has effectively lapsed.

After being found guilty in August on two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice, Wright vowed outside court that an appeal was “in process”.

However, the NT Director of Public Prosecutions this month confirmed that “no competent appeal has yet been filed”, and the Supreme Court confirmed the standard 28-day appeal period has expired. An out-of-time appeal would require leave of the court, which has not been granted.

The DPP has not yet decided whether to retry Wright on one remaining charge — on which the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict — of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Wright is due for release on May 12.