SOAB Investigation has to take place
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson updated members of the media at the Council of Ministers weekly press briefing on Wednesday of all the new measures that have been implemented to better secure the Pointe Blanche House of Detention. Minister Richardson said that since Thursday and Friday's incident where two firearms were found inside the prison facilities. "We cannot escape the stark reality that a serious breach of security has taken place at the prison which also shows a breach of integrity by someone who did not think of their safety and the safety of their colleagues. The finding of guns in the prison which it seems were taken in there to settle scores between inmates, is a breach too far as far as the breach of security is concerned in the prison. Those same guns could have been used just as easily and turned against guards themselves, endangering their lives. This is absolutely not acceptable and justifies all of the measures that have been taken currently and more that will be implemented if necessary in the near future." Minister Richardson said some of the measures include an increase in multiple random controls of the prison by multi-disciplined teams of persons from KPSM, Customs, VKS, the Royal Marechaussee and the marines will be approached to join the group that will be conducting the controls. The controls will be done on persons entering the prison, the staff, suppliers, and visitors. There will also be multiple controls during the week of the prison cells.
The Minister described the situation as being serious and stated that the Landsrecherche is busy conducting a thorough investigation into the breach of security. The Minister of Justice said they have requested assistance from other countries in the Caribbean to help the Landsrecherche do the investigation.
Prison Personnel needs Security Clearance.
The Justice Minister said that the personnel at the prison needs security clearance and that has not taken place, initiatives have been taken to start up the security clearance for the prison guards by the National Security Services of St. Maarten. Increased camera surveillance and monitoring will also take place in and around the prison. Improvements will also be made around the prison barriers to prevent persons from throwing items on to the prison grounds. Improved jamming of mobile telecommunication systems at the prison will also take place.
High Risk Inmates will be sent to the Netherlands.
Minister Richardson said that they are also looking into the possibility of sending high risk inmates to the Netherlands. "If this is possible for the Belgians and Scandivan nations then it should be definitely be possible for St. Maarten, a country within the Kingdom."
Richardson said that a comprehensive audit of the security and security procedures and actual functioning of the prison and security system will be reviewed. He said the equipments used for security will also be part of the review. He said the Ministry expects concrete recommendations from that audit to improve the overall security of the prison. The Minister said he believes an immediate threat of the prison is caused by the personnel situation. "The plan for the prison calls for 207 full time workers, presently the prison has 107 full time workers which is almost 50% less than is required. He further explained that there is a high percentage of 30 FTAs which will be investigated by the SOAB. Currently there are 77 persons working at the prison which brings it to 37% of the needed capacity. "This means that continuous disproportionate appeal has to be made on a group of dedicated workers, this is situation is not acceptable and measures will be taken to tackle the sickness in the first instance. Investigations into the sickness and circumstances that promotes that promotes the disproportionate high level will be conducted by the SOAB. The Ministry will also engage the company doctor at SZV to investigate the cases of high sickness absentees at the prison. The Minister said they know that there are honest chronical cases but the allegations of abuse will be dealt with rigorously. "Not appearing on the job when one should be there but is seemingly fit enough to be out and about and doing other work is tantamount to reckless endangerment of the prison and their colleagues who conduct their duties without adequate assistance that are needed from the absentees.
The Minister continued by stating that the expansion of the prison staff is a slow process due to the financial constraints that St. Maarten faces. He said in 2012, some 12 cadets were added to the prison, in 2013, 20 cadets were added while in 2014 another 10 will be added to the prison staff. The Minister insisted that due to the countries financial constraints no more can be added immediately, however the Ministry will have to look into taking temporary measures to help alleviate the situation pending the structural growth of the institution. Minister Richardson further explained that the Dutch penitentiary institution will be approached to investigate the possibility of temporary support from the Netherlands in view of the downscaling in the Netherlands.
When asked if the prison director had an action plan prior to the emergency measures being implemented. Minister Richardson said that in all prisons there are situations that are not that good but when firearms are smuggled in the prison then the line was crossed because it becomes a threat for the guards and the inmates themselves. These guns could have been used for an escape and people could have been killed.
