There was an interesting story in Thursday’s paper about sending a 17-year-old suspect to the Netherlands with a so-called “PIJ measure” in case of poor development or disorder, for intensive treatment and supervision to prevent a repetition of the crime. The judge had asked to investigate such a trajectory for the boy charged with murder and manslaughter, as recommended by both a psychologist and psychiatrist.
This is not possible at Miss Lalie Youth Detention and Rehabilitation Centre “for practical and technical reasons,” according to the prosecution, so the option of a Dutch youth detention centre will now be investigated. That may be an acceptable solution for this one individual, but immediately raises the question: what if there are more?
An article in the same edition about how mentally challenged persons are held also illustrates that St. Maarten’s detention problems go much further than just – the often mentioned – shortage of cell space. A new prison building alone will not automatically solve all of these, which is partly why the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was chosen as partner in the project.
Judging by a letter on today’s opinion page from the Pointe Blanche inmates it is highly necessary and urgent. Almost four years since Hurricane Irma badly damaged the penitentiary, prisoners sent to the Netherlands pending renovations apparently remain there.
The authors claim there are still no rehabilitation and educational programmes, while social training is lacking too. Guidance once released to get back into regular society is said to be nearly non-existent.
These mostly young prisoners deserve a second chance when they come out after having served their sentences. To a large extent that depends on themselves, but they could also use a helping hand from society.
