It appears that concerns over the return of some 50 inmates transferred to Curaçao and the Netherlands due to the damage Hurricane Irma did at the Pointe Blanche prison have been addressed somewhat (see related story). The idea is reportedly not to just send these detainees back but rather prepare to accommodate them in a responsible way.
People had been worried that the recent departure of Dutch correctional officers who were assisting at the local penitentiary also because of a personnel shortage and high absenteeism would create an unsafe situation. Adding the convicts with long sentences to this mix per November 1 was perceived as asking for trouble.
While the exterior wall has been repaired with funds provided by the Netherlands, the complex remains outdated. Government right now understandably doesn’t have the finances to construct a new one and the Recovery Trust Fund managed by the World Bank is not be used for that, although a possibility to at least help make it more storm-resistant was kept open.
For now, further improvements to the existing facility are probably the most realistic option. The Justice Ministry in The Hague made available experts to draft a Plan of Approach that can be used as guide for the future.
Important is that all parties involved agreed on the need for material, organisational and security measures at both the prison and law enforcement level for the return of the inmates. The matter therefore seems to be in good hands, but those in charge would do well to remember that they will be held accountable should anything go wrong.
