John Elferink sacked as Northern Territory corrections minister following youth detention abuse

John Elferink has been sacked as the Northern Territory's corrections minister after abuse of juveniles in detention was revealed.

The announcement comes after disturbing footage aired on the ABC last night showed young boys being stripped naked, tear-gassed and held in solitary confinement for days in the territory.

READ MORE: Graphic footage shows NT teens gassed, restrained in jail

Earlier today, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a Royal Commission into NT youth detention following the Four Corners program.

"They're being shackled to chairs a la Guantanamo Bay," barrister John Lawrence told the ABC.

"This is actually happening in Australia in 2016".

Mr Elferink appeared in the program, and said he had not seen a lot of the footage.

"That demonstrates a lack of training," he said.

"When matters come to me I make sure they're investigated".

Lawyers and activists have called for the facility, Don Dale Youth Detention Centre, to be permanently shut down.

One of the detainees shown in the program, Dylan Voller, remains in detention.

Today his lawyers called for his immediate release.

"He must be released immediately. The impact of these years of brutalisation must be immediately measured and he needs immediate assistance", Peter O'Brien of O'Brien Solicitors said in a statement.

"Any child locked up in solitary confinement in the Northern Territory need to be released immediately."

Chief Minister Adam Giles will take over Mr Elferink's portfolio.

Mr Giles said he would appoint an inspector-general for corrections also.

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