The Northern Territory is Suing Boys Tear Gassed in the 'Four Corners' Footage

In just a week, Four Corners' episode revealing abuse of underage boys inside the Northern Territory's Don Dale Youth Detention Centre has had a massive impact. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a royal commission. Responding to public outcry, the territory's Justice Minister John Elferink was sacked.

But it seems the NT Government is pushing back, counter-suing two of the boys shown being tear gassed in Four Corners' footage. It's alleged these boys, whose names have been suppressed by the NT Supreme Court, caused more than $160,000 in damage during an escape attempt.

VICE has previously reported on the breakout, which happened on May 31, 2015. The two boys allegedly left Don Dale only to return two days later in the ultimate getaway car—a stolen white hatchback. They rammed the car into the facility's front door until they were let in, and proceeded to do burnouts in the yard before finally handing themselves over.

The Government breaks down its claim like this: the pair caused $89,000 in damage escaping, $74,025.60 ramming the prison door—plus interest and legal costs.

These two boys are part of a group of six prisoners who all filed claims against the NT government back in June, seeking damages for the treatment that was brought to national attention by Four Corners earlier this week.

This includes the now-infamous incident in which guards at Don Dale released 10 blasts of tear gas to subdue what was then reported by media as a "riot." It's since emerged that the gas was released throughout the unit, after just one inmate, Jake Roper, attempted escape. Many of the other boys were quietly playing cards before the incident, and were trapped in their cells while the gas was sprayed.

Roper isn't one of the boys being counter-sued by the NT government. Neither is Dylan Voller, the boy who was seen on Four Corners hooded and strapped into a mechanical restraint chair. Only the two boys who attempted escape and returned to the prison last year are facing court proceedings.

According to the ABC, the argument being made young boys' lawyers in their defence is that "they would not have tried to escape if they had not been treated poorly and kept in poor and restrictive conditions." Indeed, all six boys suing over the tear gassing are seeking "general, aggravated, and exemplary damages to 'deter and punish' the NT Government."

Voller, now 18 years old, is an adult inmate in Darwin Detention Centre. He apparently gave Four Cornersaccess to footage of his abuse to ensure other juvenile inmates never face the same treatment.

More on the Don Dale abuse revelations on VICE:

The 'Four Corners' Abuse Footage Wasn't Withheld From the NT Government: It Was Sent to Them

Wait, We've Known About This Tragic Don Dale Footage Since 2015

The Abuse of Juvenile Prisoners in the Northern Territory Has Sparked a Royal Commission