‘Psychological torture’: Outback Wrangler Matt Wright’s prison hell devastated heavily-pregnant wife Kaia

A “mind-blowing” decision has left Outback Wrangler Matt Wright stuck behind bars and his wife shattered amid accusations of “psychological torture”.

Prison sources say it’s the third time Wright has been knocked back for a form of early release. This time was for a seven-day early release and the previous two occasions were for administrative home detention.

He was even booked in to have an ankle monitor fitted and had his home inspected for suitability for administrative home detention, only to be knocked back in the eleventh hour with limited explanation.

The ultimate approval is at the discretion of the Commissioner Matthew Varley.

Sources say the treatment Wright has received is “mind blowing” and unprecedented.

Wright is serving a 10-month jail sentence – suspended after five – for attempting to pervert the course of justice following the 2022 helicopter crash that killed Chris Wilson and severely injured pilot Sebastian Robinson.

Kaia Wright with her two children for New Year as Matt served the first couple of weeks of his jail sentence. Picture: Instagram

Matt and Kaia wright with son Banjo celebrate Daisy’s third birthday Picture: Instagram

Under Northern Territory legislation, specifically section 62 of the Correctional Services Act 2014, the Commissioner of Correctional Services has the discretion to release a prisoner up to seven days before their formal release date.

News.com.au understands Wright applied for the seven day early release so he could be home for the birth of the couple’s son.

It is believed part of the reason he was knocked back was because of his public profile and the public interest.

Wright has been in Holtze jail, 30km from Darwin city, since his sentencing on December 12 last year.

Sources told news.com.au he was first approved for administrative home detention by the Darwin Correctional Centre after serving over three months in jail.

Administrative Home Detention in the Northern Territory allows eligible prisoners to serve the remainder of their sentence at an approved residence under strict conditions, including electronic monitoring, drug and alcohol testing, and obeying probation officers.

Key requirements include residing at a fixed address, adhering to curfew, and seeking approval to leave for work, treatment, or, religious, purposes.

To be eligible, a prisoner must have served at least 50 per cent of their sentence. Breaches of any of the conditions can lead to revocation of the permit and return to prison.

Prison sources say Wright had been a model prisoner and was vigorously assessed to see if he met the eligibility criteria.

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – December 12, 2025: Outback Wrangler Matt Wright and his wife Kaia Wright walks out of the Supreme Court after being adjourned for the afternoon in Darwin on Friday December 12. Picture: NewsWire / Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The last-minute revoking of the seven day early release and administrative home detention permits has reportedly caused emotional distress for Wright’s wife, Kaia, who is expecting the couple’s third child any day. She has repeatedly tried to get answers from jail authorities. When contacted by news.com.au, she refused to comment.

It is understood that Wright was first approved for administrative home detention on March 5, having served three months of his sentence. He was booked to be fitted with the ankle monitor and told he would be dropped off at home the following day.

Sources say Matt told his wife, Kaia, who shared the news with their two young kids, Banjo and Dusty, “Dad’s coming home tomorrow.”

Community Corrections officers even visited his home back in February to assess the suitability for administrative home detention, and the Department of Community Corrections, the Darwin Correctional Centre and the family believed his release was imminent.

Commissioner Matthew Varley had other plans. Within 24 hours of his scheduled release, Wright was told the approval had been revoked by the Commissioner using his discretionary powers, sources said.

Matt Wright, the “Outback Wrangler,” and his wife Kaia Wright, and their two children, Banjo and Dusty. Kaia Wright is due to give birth to their third child. Picture: Instagram

“And then the same thing happened again in April,” a prison source said.

“He was all set to go and then the rug was pulled from under him at the last minute. I haven’t seen anything like it. It’s one thing for the Commissioner to let it go through the process the first time and pull it, but to let him apply again with new conditions and leave it to the final hour again where his young family and pregnant wife think he’s coming home for the second time and not following through is psychological torture.”

Sources say prison guards have told Wright, who has been described as polite, spends most of his time in his cell and working out, that they “feel for him” over the constant setbacks.

NT Corrections have been contacted for comment.

The decision is said to have shattered the family, with Kaia seeking counselling for emotional distress.

Wright (with wife Kaia before sentencing) is serving a five-month jail term for perverting the course of justice. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Sources say Matt told his wife Kaia who shared the news with their two young kids Banjo and Dusty “Dad’s coming home tomorrow.”. Picture: Instagram

While the permits for administrative home detention in Darwin are not issued frequently, there is precedent in high-profile cases – including the case of former Northern Territory police commissioner John McRoberts, who was also convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

He was sentenced to three years’ jail and had his sentence suspended after serving 12 months. He was granted the administrative home detention permit after serving six months.

In deciding to grant early release, the Commissioner may consider the health, well-being, and protection of the prisoner, the administration of justice, and the protection of the community.

The provision (section 62 of the Act) is generally used for administrative efficiency or compassionate reasons, such as enabling a smooth transition back into the community.

Wright’s wife, Kaia, who is now overdue, will not have her husband at the birth of their child, missing it by a matter of days due to the Commissioner’s latest decision.

Matt Wright with Banjo who is said to be devastated dad was knocked back after he thought he was coming home. Picture: Instagram

Wright, a former Australian Tourism ambassador, was given a 10-month jail sentence for attempting to pervert the course of justice following the 2022 helicopter crash that killed his best mate Mr Wilson and severely injured pilot Sebastian Robinson.

Wright was not charged in relation to the actual cause of the crash – rather, over his actions in the aftermath of the crash that happened during a crocodile egg-collecting trip in Arnhem Land.

Mr Wilson was slung on a line below a chopper to drop onto nests in remote swampland when the chopper came down.

No one has been charged in relation to the cause of the crash.

Wright was initially ordered to serve five months of the 10-month sentence in custody. The remaining five months were to be suspended.

He was also placed on a two-year good behaviour period and fined $5000.

Wright is serving his time in the Complex Behavioural Unit (CBU), also known as sector 20.

Life before jail. Kaia and Matt Wright with Banjo and Dusty. Picture: Instagram

Reports that he had asked to move to the unit, and was being “treated like a VIP prisoner”, outraged his wife Kaia, who said at the time that Matt had been “doing it tough as anyone would expect”.

At the time of his sentencing, Kaia told news.com.au she was devastated by the outcome and hoped her husband would be home in time for the birth of their second son in April.

She said she was disappointed that her husband’s highly-publicised court case did not “publicly shed light as to what caused the helicopter crash.”

Instead, she was left frustrated and felt that the cause of the accident was “tippy toed” around, leaving the public “more confused than ever.”

“What was meant to be an investigation into the cause of the crash turned into an investigation into Matt Wright that provided the public with no answers as to the cause,” she said.

Source: https://www.news.com.au/national/northern-territory/psychological-tortureoutback-wrangler-matt-wrights-prison-hell-devastated-heavilypregnant-wife-kaia/news-story/ed55cc8da33415d7025eaae2707198b5