Eight years later, most recommendations for Point Blanche prison still not implemented
PHILIPSBURG – Eight years after a previous investigation, most recommendations for improving the Point Blanche prison on Sint Maarten have still not been implemented. Of the seven recommendations made by the Council for Law Enforcement, only one has been fully followed up. Five recommendations have not been implemented at all and one only partially.
This emerges from a follow-up investigation by the Council, for which fieldwork was carried out between June and October 2025. The investigation focused on the treatment of detainees, their reintegration into society and the use of isolation cells.
The Council also examined two recommendations from the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, the CPT. The renovation of the isolation cells has since been carried out. However, a mandatory register recording the use of force against detainees is still missing.
Reintegration falling short
The Council considers the inadequate reintegration of detainees particularly concerning. Due to shortages of staff and financial resources, rehabilitation plans, reintegration activities and aftercare remain limited.
Educational activities and workshops are offered, but according to the supervisory body a structural and coherent approach is lacking. This increases the risk that former detainees will reoffend. It also hampers their responsible return to society.
A positive development is the recently launched programme Tur Cos Ta Posibel. Volunteers provide non-formal education to detainees through this programme. The pilot has been well received according to the Council, but must be given a structural follow-up.
Isolation cells used differently
The newly designated isolation cells meet the CPT standards according to the Council. In practice, however, these cells are regularly used for other purposes, partly due to a lack of space and security issues within the prison.
The isolation room of the Mental Health Foundation was also examined. According to the Council, this room is used as little as possible, is in good condition and meets the tested international standards.
The Council expects that the planned construction of a new prison can help resolve some of the problems. The prison is being developed in cooperation between Sint Maarten, the Netherlands and the UN project bureau UNOPS.
Vulnerable circumstances
In May, the Council already warned in its annual State of Law Enforcement about the "extremely vulnerable and continuously risky detention conditions" on Sint Maarten. Explicit attention was drawn to the human rights of detainees and the working conditions of prison staff.
The Council once again calls on the government and the ministry to implement the outstanding recommendations promptly. Sustained administrative oversight is, according to the supervisory body, necessary to genuinely improve the safety, legal protection and reintegration prospects of detainees.
