Rehabilitation plans are taking root at the Point Blanche prison. St. Maarten’s Detention Sector Reform Programme (DSRP) is making progress with their multi-year programme, introducing sports, reading, photography and writing for prison residents.

POINT BLANCHE--St. Maarten’s Detention Sector Reform Programme (DSRP) has made progress in developing prison policies, preparing a future correctional workforce and expanding education, healthcare and rehabilitation activities, according to an update from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

From left: Chief of Staff Stuart Johnson; Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell; Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina; Council of State Vice President Sybrand van Haersma Buma; Council of State Member Randolf Duggins from St. Maarten; Secretary-General Dr. Abel Knottnerus; and Council of State Secretary Ron van der Veer.

THE HAGUE--Prime Minister Luc Mercelina has discussed cooperation on a new mental health facility that will serve St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius during meetings with Dutch officials in The Hague.

WILLEMSTAD--Sigmar Carmelia was installed as the 26th president of the Joint Court of Justice on Friday, October 16, pledging to strengthen access to justice, develop local legal talent and maintain cooperation across the six Caribbean islands served by the court.

Trash was found once again on Little Bay Beach less than a month after the ICC clean-up. Organisers call for greater public responsibility and government enforcement.

LITTLE BAY--Less than a month after hundreds of volunteers collected hundreds of kilograms of litter from Little Bay Beach and Pond during the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC), trash has once again accumulated along the beach, prompting organisers to call for greater public responsibility and stronger government enforcement.

~Govt. drafting law to regulate tariffs~

PHILIPSBURG--The fuel clause charged to consumers is primarily linked to the cost of fuel supplied by fuel supplier SOL to utilities company NV GEBE, rather than being determined by NV GEBE itself, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina said during Wednesday’s live Council of Ministers press briefing.