Transparency Accountability Justice Ministry Details Measures Taken After Point Blanche Incident St Maarten
๐๐
๐
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
Transparency and Accountability: Ministry of Justice Details Measures Taken After the Point Blanche Incident
Philipsburg, St. Maarten โ June 2, 2025
The Ministry of Justice addresses recent public reports regarding conditions at Point Blanche Prison and provides factual updates to ensure transparency and accountability.
๐๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ
Following the May 14 fire incident, the Ministry acted immediately to protect the safety and well-being of the prison population. Authorities transferred inmates to Simpson Bay (Foreigner Detention Center), Philipsburg Police Cells, and Bonaire. In total, six inmates relocated to Bonaire.
Before each transfer, officials informed inmates and their families and facilitated in-person visits to allow farewells and the delivery of essential personal items. In one case, a family could not visit due to external circumstances beyond the Ministryโs control; however, the inmate was able to speak with them by phone.
๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐จ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Contrary to circulating claims, inmates are not confined to their cells 24/7. Each day, inmates receive access to outdoor areas, and those wishing to participate do so without limitation.
At the outset of the emergency, prison officials temporarily suspended recreational activities to manage the crisis. However, they resumed programs last week, including a religious service held on Saturday. This week, the prison continues reinstating other activities, such as access to the music room and sports facilities.
๐๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฌ, ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ฌ & ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Due to the lack of a secure visitation space, the prison suspended in-person visits as an emergency measure. To ensure continued family contact, the administration implemented a structured telephone schedule. This system began last week and will expand to include all inmates who wish to make contact until in-person visits can safely resume.
The Ministry enacted these temporary restrictions under the Prison Regulation (โGevangenismaatregelโ), which allows the Prison Director and the Minister of Justice to suspend certain rights to ensure institutional safety and proper function.
Officials review inmates’ rights and privileges every 72 hours in accordance with Article 32 of the Prison Regulation. Each review considers facility stability, progress in recovery, and overall security. Although the Ministry respects inmatesโ rights, it considers the temporary suspension of visits necessary to maintain order during this period. Efforts are ongoing to restore visitation hours as soon as conditions allow.
Additionally, while the Ministry recognizes the importance of education for rehabilitation, educational programs remain paused due to emergency conditions. These will resume as soon as safety is restored.
๐๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ
The prison crisis team, in collaboration with UNOPS, launched a phased and structured recovery plan. So far, the team has secured the facility, completed cleaning, and begun electrical system repairs. While officials refrain from disclosing detailed timelines to preserve safety and minimize disruption, the Ministry ensures that all efforts meet the highest operational standards.
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Looking forward, the Ministry remains firmly committed to reforming Point Blanche Prison. A full-scale rehabilitation and infrastructure expansion project is scheduled for implementation in 2025. This effort will modernize the facility and expand capacity.
https://sxmnews.ai/from-bid-rigging-to-land-stealing-story-of-christopher-emmanuels-crash-out/
This project underscores the Ministryโs institutional dedication to human dignity, rehabilitation, and reintegration. The new design will include spaces for education, healthcare, family visitation, workshops, and recreation, aligning with a holistic and humane approach to correctional development. It will also incorporate key considerations related to social equity, gender, and environmental impact.
The Ministry of Justice continues to prioritize transparency, accountability, and the safeguarding of fundamental rights throughout the ongoing crisis response and long-term prison reform.