It was reassuring to hear from Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling (see Tuesday newspaper) that recreational activities and family contact – be it by telephone – for prisoners have resumed in phases. To be sure, concerns over the suspension of certain rights and privileges expressed by the Inmates Association as well as the Supervisory Committee of the Prison System are not without merit, because detainees too deserve humane treatment at all times.
But let’s not forget that fire was set inside the Point Blanche prison during a riot, not only risking the lives of other inmates and staff, but ultimately causing so much damage that 51 out of the total population of 80 could not spend the night in their cells. This led to temporarily designating as prison the immigration holding complex in Simpson Bay and housing detainees at the Philipsburg police cells, where facilities are obviously not comparable with a regular penitentiary, while some were transferred to the Caribbean Netherlands jail in Bonaire.
Also keep in mind that a second environmental inspection of the affected part of the complex in Point Blanche days later revealed the presence of lingering soot, smoke residue and potentially harmful particles in the area. This required specialised cleaning before emergency repairs could even start in earnest.
Nevertheless, the sooner conditions for inmates can be normalised the better, something the minister seems keenly aware of and is no doubt trying her best to accomplish. It’s a process that will require understanding, patience and cooperation from everyone involved.
