The Latest Breaking News from Erina Early

More than a dozen inmates tore through a ceiling and attempted to escape a prison on Boxing Day before guards foiled their bid for freedom.

Northern Territory Treasurer Eva Lawler is keeping her cards close to her chest as she prepares to hand down her first budget on Tuesday. But some key announcements, and key budget projections, are already in the public domain.

Police arrest a prisoner who fled from an Alice Springs prison this morning, as the union claims only six officers were on duty to manage 647 prisoners — less than half the minimum night shift requirement.

With record inmate numbers and an exhausted workforce, staff at this outback prison say they feel unsafe, overworked and undervalued.