Understanding Prison Costs Justice Minister Tackling Sets the Record Straight St Maarten
Understanding Prison Costs: Justice Minister Tackling Sets the Record Straight
In the third round of the June 25 press briefing, Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling addressed questions about the cost of incarceration in St. Martin. Member of Parliament Emil raised concerns over the high per-prisoner cost and inconsistencies in projected prison expenditures. Minister Tackling provided a detailed explanation to clarify how the numbers were calculated and what they actually represent.
đź’° Daily Cost Per Prisoner: More Than Just a Meal and a Cell
MP Emil cited figures from the budget debate that pegged the average cost per prisoner at ƒ495 guilders per day—about $275 USD, translating to nearly ƒ100,000 guilders per year per inmate. Minister Tackling confirmed the number but emphasized that the ƒ495 figure includes far more than just basic operational expenses at Point Blanche Prison.
Understanding Prison Costs
“That number also includes the Miss Lalie Center and about 3 million guilders for detainees housed in the Netherlands,” she explained.
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These overseas detainees cost over €1 million annually, which alone skews the per-prisoner calculation. When averaged out across 80–86 inmates, the daily cost ranges between ƒ495 and ƒ531, depending on how full the prison is.
🏗️ New Prison: Efficiency by Design
The new correctional facility, set to house 196 inmates, brings its own cost calculations. MP Emil noted that based on the current per-prisoner cost, the annual budget would balloon to ƒ35 million. Yet, Tackling clarified that UNOPS, the UN agency managing the project, estimates operational costs closer to $11–12 million USD per year.
Understanding Prison Costs
How is that possible?
“The facility will gain efficiency through modern construction and technology,” Tackling said. “That will reduce the need for staffing and cut certain recurring expenses.”
This projection assumes optimized operations—not just scaling up current inefficiencies.
📉 Staffing Levels: A Budget Drain
Minister Tackling also acknowledged the current staffing shortfalls. Although Point Blanche should employ 48 full-time guards, only 22 are active. Miss Lalie is short-staffed too, with only 10 of 18 positions filled.
But there’s a catch.
“We also have individuals on long-term or partial sick leave who remain on the payroll,” she noted. “Some are working in other departments, but their salaries still hit the prison budget.”
So while the staff count appears low, the budget impact remains high due to these payroll obligations.
🇦🇼 Benchmarking Against the Region
Finally, Tackling touched on regional comparisons. She noted that in her recent visit to Aruba, officials there reported similar incarceration costs—about ƒ400 guilders per day per inmate. This puts St. Martin’s figures in line with its regional counterparts, despite its smaller scale and broader challenges.
🧾 Final Takeaway
Justice Minister Tackling’s breakdown reveals that prison costs in St. Martin are not just about daily operations. Overseas detention, long-term sick staff, and outdated infrastructure all inflate the budget. However, the new facility promises streamlined efficiency, offering hope for long-term cost control and better rehabilitation services.