Bonaire’s former container jail
~ Justice Ministry weighing options ~
THE HAGUE--The eleven container cells provided by the Netherlands are still not in use at St. Maarten’s Pointe Blanche prison, while the other eleven remain in Bonaire awaiting decision-making by the St. Maarten government.
Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Kajsa Ollongren stated this on Wednesday in response to questions by the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament in relation to the 2019 Annual Report on Kingdom Relations.
The Second Chamber asked for an update about the container cells at the Pointe Blanche prison and whether these were already put into use. So far, the 11 container cells that were transported from Bonaire to St. Maarten in September 2019 have not been put in operation, Ollongren stated.
Dutch Minister for Legal Protection Sander Dekker made 22 container cells from the old Bonaire prison available to St. Maarten, which would increase the much-needed capacity at Pointe Blanche by 40. Dutch Defence transported half of the 22 containers to St. Maarten, while the other half remain in Bonaire awaiting a decision from St. Maarten.
According to an explanation from St. Maarten authorities, the 11 container cells were not ready to be put into use for different reasons: the construction of the foundation, hooking up the cells to water and electricity and ensuring they were hurricane-proof. “This is a responsibility of St. Maarten and this has always been communicated with St. Maarten.”
The minister noted that support had been offered by the National Department Real Estate Agency (“Rijksvastgoedbedrijf”) to assist with housing improvements and contract management in order to put the container cells to use as soon as possible. The container cells could be placed in the airing area within the prison walls, according to St. Maarten plans. “So far, St. Maarten has not realised this.”
Ollongren informed the Second Chamber that the new St. Maarten government and its Justice Minister Anna Richardson were reconsidering the placement of the container cells. “It is not clear whether and how St. Maarten will use the container cells and whether they want to make use of the container cells that are still in Bonaire.”
In an invited comment on Wednesday, Senior Policy Advisor at St. Maarten’s Ministry of Justice, Johishi Romney said the ministry is still planning to use the 11 container cells “within the justice chain” and options are being explored as to “where the container cells can be put to their best use.” The cells can even be installed at the prison as originally planned, he added.
Romney confirmed that the ministry has concerns about the cells’ safety, especially considering the upcoming hurricane season.
The remaining cells in Bonaire will not be transported to St. Maarten until the existing cells’ placement has been determined and they have been made operational, he said.
St. Maarten’s detention facilities and law enforcement will be discussed in a general debate of the Second Chamber’s Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations on Monday, June 22, to which no fewer than two Ministers, Ferd Grapperhaus (Justice and Security) and Sander Dekker (Legal Protection) and State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops have been invited.
