From left: Progress Committee secretary Gert-Jan Stortelers, formateur MP Theo Heyliger, Progress Committee chairman Nico Schoof, Progress Committee members Jason Rogers (St. Maarten) and Michel Marijnen (Netherlands).
PHILIPSBURG--“If action is not taken soon, the prison situation can turn into a serious risk for the public safety,” according to a statement from Nico Schoof, Progress Committee St. Maarten Chairman.
Schoof and other committee members met with formateur Member of Parliament Theo Heyliger on Wednesday about the dire situation at the prison in Pointe Blanche. “The alarming situation at the prison calls for immediate action, not only on St. Maarten but also in The Hague as well.”
The Progress Committee invited Heyliger to discuss the safety and security issues of the prison in particular and the issues surrounding the plans of approach for the prison and the police force in general. The formateur shared the Progress Committee’s concerns.
The committee shared with Heyliger that the situation at the prison is critical due to understaffing of security guards, no prison director and half of the staff not at work for a variety of reasons ranging from sick leave, suspension to reassignment. However, these workers are still on the prison payroll with the result that replacements cannot be hired due to budgetary constraints.
“I am happy that the committee took the time to inform me about the situation at the prison,” said the formateur. “I believe that St. Maarten cannot develop its economy and tourism product without properly addressing the safety and security issues on the island first.”
Heyliger thanked the committee and promised to bring this issue forward in the discussions with the coalition partners as a part of the governing accord talks.
The Progress Committee is speaking with justice chain stakeholders as a part of its quarterly monitoring of the plans of approach for the prison and the police force.
