Philipsburg, St. Maarten (March 16, 2015) – Representatives of the Council on Law Enforcement on Monday presented its report “the security and the safety in the detentions facilities of Sint Maarten” to St. Maarten’s Minister of Justice, Dennis Richardson. Making the presentation to the minister were Franklyn Richards, Representative of the Council on Law Enforcement and Mr. Gerard van Voorst, Chief Inspector of the office of the Council on Law Enforcement on Sint Maarten.
The report was drafted in the wake of the Council on Law Enforcement having examined the security of – and the safety in the Point Blanche and Simpson Bay prisons. In addition -at the request of the Minister of Justice- the Council investigated a serious violent incident that took place on September 11th 2014, within the walls of the Point Blanche facility.
The report underscores that the importance of security of – and safety in prisons cannot be underestimated. Society should be able to rely on the fact that incarceration of convicted criminals will have its judicial effect and protect society against further crimes. The government has the duty to ensure the safety of personnel in the workplace of facilities and a safe confinement of detainees, says the report.
The focus of the council’s report is not only placed on community safety, taking into consideration eventual protection from escapes out of prison. The report also focuses attention on the internal security, to the extent that a safe working environment for staff at the institutions is maintained as would be the case with the safety of prisoners during their detention. An additional point of interest, in the report, was the incident of September 11th, 2014 at the Point Blanche facility.
The Council is certainly impressed with the great dedication, which many display in keeping the institutions operational, even under difficult circumstances.
The report mentions that attention is being paid to construction initiatives that benefit safety and security. Since mid-2013, the facility in Pointe Blanche has begun renovation, taking place in phases. Progress is being made in introducing additional security and safety, by implementing mechanisms that would minimize the risks of an escape. The report notes that tools such as camera surveillance and intercom promote the safety of both staff and inmates.
An acceptable level of security and safety
