Justice Minister Anna Richardson told Parliament last Thursday that at least 136 persons are waiting to serve their sentences (see related story) for lack of cell space. As the prison is already full at its present population of 87, this has become a serious and somewhat alarming situation.
Transferring detainees to penitentiaries of other Dutch Caribbean islands or even in the European part of the kingdom depends on availability. Moreover, it implies extra cost.
Considering that 24 of the current inmates at Pointe Blanche are undocumented foreigners, one option is repatriating them to do – the rest of – their time back home, but this would require treaties with the countries concerned. Besides, the jails there will probably want all their related expenses covered too.
The new prison being built with help from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and funded by the Netherlands should improve matters significantly. A request has now been made to add capacity in the transitional facility to be used when the current complex is demolished so construction can start.
Whether all that will prove enough remains very much up in the air, especially as electronic surveillance ankle bracelets are not often used due to requirements for such. Something must be done, however, because justice should be swift and allowing convicted criminals to walk around freely without having paid their debt to society sends entirely the wrong message.
