The unanimous adoption of a motion by Parliament to have the electronic monitoring programme for prisoners revised and updated (see Monday paper) in the next two months was interesting. In a perhaps even more noteworthy response, Justice Minister Anna Richardson looked forward to complying within two weeks instead.
Why only now, some might ask, but according to her a policy shortening the decision-making process on who are eligible for an ankle bracelet to serve – the rest of – their sentence at home has already been drafted. That’s good news, because in its 2022 annual report the Prosecutor’s Office said hundreds of sentences could not be executed due to lack of cell space.
Not only that, but additional inmates are being transferred to the Netherlands, which brings extra cost for St. Maarten. Pending the planned construction of a new penitentiary, electronic surveillance seems a practical alternative.
However, as the minister duly warned, most detainees have committed heinous crimes and are not suitable for such. Intention is therefore obviously to select the less serious cases. Particular mention was made of convicted white-collar criminals waiting to serve their sentences, which might in turn raise concerns about “elitist” rules for a small group who – contrary to others – won’t have to spend a single day behind bars.
It’s essential to establish clear, unambiguous conditions and criteria to prevent favouritism. That in no way implies a lack of confidence in the present minister by law enforcement authorities advising her on these matters, because it also goes for all their successors in the future.
Despite potential drawbacks, in the interest of a proper, swift administration of justice it is essential to reduce the current waiting list. The fact remains that having persons sentenced to prison keep walking around freely for years without somehow paying their related debt to society sends an entirely wrong message.
