NT not to release prisons report until RC

The Northern Territory government has decided not to release a report into the entire correctional system until it presents it to the upcoming royal commission.

The report, by Keith Hamburger, former director-general of Queensland's corrective services, was received by the government on Tuesday, Chief Minister Adam Giles said in a statement on Thursday.

"It's a detailed and comprehensive report, which makes a large number of recommendations on very complex issues, including some that are relevant to juvenile detention," he said.

The government will provide the report to the royal commission for its consideration, and cabinet has asked the various agencies involved with corrections and child protection to prepare responses to the recommendations for the next cabinet to consider, as the territory will go to the polls in three weeks.

"It's important this work happens quickly and without distraction," Mr Giles said.

"Cabinet has decided the report should be publicly released when presented to the Royal Commission."