PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Justice has officially launched the Detention Sector Reform Program (DSRP), a landmark national initiative designed to transform every part of the detention chain, from pre-trial to post-detention. The program aims to build a modern, safe, and humane system that reflects Sint Maarten’s values of dignity, accountability, and fairness.
Led by the Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten, the DSRP is supported by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) and the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), and implemented in collaboration with two United Nations agencies; the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Minister of Justice Nathalie M. Tackling said the initiative represents a turning point for Sint Maarten’s justice system.
“After 35 years, our detention facility has outlived its purpose. The DSRP is about more than building a new facility; it’s about creating a fairer and more humane justice system. The way we treat people in detention says a great deal about who we are as a society. When we invest in rehabilitation and reintegration, we give people a real chance to return to society better prepared, with skills, confidence, and purpose. At the same time, it gives our staff the tools, training, and environment they deserve to perform their duties safely and effectively. This reform shows that Sint Maarten’s justice is rooted in fairness and human dignity.”
Under the DSRP, UNOPS provided technical expertise for the design of the new facility, and now, they will lead the construction of the new Point Blanche Prison, a modern, resilient, and sustainable correctional facility that meets the highest international standards. The facility will double the current capacity and include spaces for education, healthcare, mental health, vocational training, family visits, and recreation, reflecting a holistic and human-centered approach to rehabilitation.
“At UNOPS, we are proud to be in charge of the construction component of the Detention Sector Reform Program. The new Point Blanche facilities will be a modern correctional complex designed to promote safety, dignity, and opportunities for rehabilitation, which are essential pillars of peaceful and inclusive societies. We will implement the construction by applying the best standards for a resilient and sustainable infrastructure, and ensuring the efficient use of public resources while enhancing governance and transparency”, says Giuseppe Mancinelli, UNOPS Deputy Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office.
The infrastructure project is jointly financed by the Government of Sint Maarten and BZK, with an investment of USD 52 million. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026 and take approximately three years.
Meanwhile, UNODC will support the Ministry in strengthening prison management, staff training, and rehabilitation programs. Their technical team is working alongside local personnel to enhance leadership and operational systems, prepare for the transition to the new facility, and expand reintegration initiatives to reduce reoffending and improve community safety.
“This initiative represents an important opportunity to build a stronger, fairer, and more accountable justice system in Sint Maarten. By focusing on the people who work in prison, as well as those in their care, this programme will help create a system that truly supports prison-based rehabilitation activities , facilitate support after release, as well as contribute to community safety. We are proud to work alongside the Ministry of Justice and the people of Sint Maarten to make this vision a reality.” said Rafael Barreto Souza, Programme Officer, UNODC.
The DSRP demonstrates Sint Maarten’s commitment to justice reform through local leadership, international collaboration, and shared responsibility. Implemented in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, it emphasizes transparency, accountability, and human dignity in detention management.
“This is Sint Maarten’s reform, led by our Ministry, for our people,” said Minister Tackling. “It’s about building a detention system that strengthens our institutions, protects our people, and restores confidence in justice.”
Through the DSRP, the Ministry of Justice and its partners are setting a new standard for humane, accountable, and sustainable justice in Sint Maarten.