Concerns about the prison in Pointe Blanche becoming a serious risk to public safety expressed during a recent meeting of Progress Committee members with “formateur” Theo Heyliger were underlined by visiting Dutch Justice and Security Minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus (see related story). The latter reported being “shocked” at the bad shape various parts are in and acknowledged that “something needs to be done as soon as possible.”
He was asked how this sense of urgency fits with State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops’ earlier statement that money from the Trust Fund of 470 million euros at the World Bank provided by the Netherlands won’t be used to build a new penitentiary. After all, not long before stepping down, St. Maarten’s former Justice Minister and interim Prime Minister Rafael Boasman said officials of the governments in both Philipsburg and The Hague had determined that renovating the current complex wasn’t worth it and a whole new correctional facility would be required.
Grapperhaus did not want to go into the position Knops had taken, except to confirm that no recovery means will indeed go towards such a construction project. He also spoke of the need for repairs and talked about short- and long-term solutions.
However, Knops recognised too at the time that the present conditions created unsafe situations for guards as well as residents in the area. He said making the prison more hurricane-resistant could be considered for incidental funding, but the business model and operations should be a multi-annual affair.
It’s important to note that about 15 Dutch penitentiary workers are still assisting at Pointe Blanche and their stay has been extended. This is most welcome, especially due to the high absenteeism at the already-short-staffed institution.
The bottom line is that at least addressing the greatest deficiencies at the prison is no luxury whatsoever. With such a large sum available to get the country back on track, using only a small percentage to tackle the worst of the problems also in the interest of law enforcement actually seems like a pretty good idea.
