The centre detains sentenced and charged felons under Northern Territory and/or Commonwealth law.

In a low security environment, located outside the main perimeter fence, 84 units operate with minimal supervision.

All proceeds from the sale of art works go to victims of crime and support prison programs.

[2] In 1992, 87 hectares (210 acres) of land was excised from the Owen Springs pastoral lease to create the site for the centre.

[3] The centre opened in 1996 and received all of the inmates from the former Her Majesty's Gaol and Labour Prison in Alice Springs.