St. Martin News Network - St. Maarten

Ministry of Justice Issues Detailed Update on Pointe Blanche Prison.

nathalietacklingprison16052025 PHILIPSBURG:---In the aftermath of the riot and fire at the Pointe Blanche Prison on May 14, the Ministry of Justice has remained fully engaged in managing the emergency response and stabilizing conditions. This press release provides a detailed update on actions taken, ongoing recovery efforts, and the next steps toward long-term reform. Due to the damage caused by the fire and the uninhabitable condition of the affected area, 51 inmates had to be relocated. Some were transferred to Police Bureau cells in Philipsburg, while others were temporarily housed in unaffected areas within Pointe Blanche. The Minister of Justice, alongside the crisis management team, remained on-site until nearly 3:00 a.m., working to ensure that each inmate had a safe place to sleep and that order was maintained. “This incident has challenged our systems, but it has also revealed a silver lining – our collective strength,” said Minister Nathalie M. Tackling. “From emergency services and law enforcement to prison staff and government officials, everyone came together without hesitation.” Our priority remains the safety and security of all affected. We are moving swiftly, transparently, and with full focus on recovery and reform.”

Prison Visit and Inmate Discussion

The following morning, Minister Nathalie M. Tackling visited the prison to personally assess the damage after police forensics and VROMI had done their checks. She also met with the Inmates Association, where she provided a detailed briefing on her and the crisis management team’s actions, and which potential solutions were being explored to improve the current situation. The Inmates Association shared insight into what led to the riot and took time to acknowledge two of their members who acted bravely during the incident by risking their lives to free other inmates from their cells. They confirmed that guards were present and made a good judgment call, stating that they could not have unlocked the cells and helped others escape the fire without the support of the guards on site. The Minister thanked them for their swift and selfless action. She also explained the difference between a judge releasing a suspect, with or without the condition of an ankle bracelet (electronic monitoring), and the Minister deciding on (early) conditional release for convicted prisoners. She reiterated her commitment to finding fair and practical solutions to their concerns and the other prisoners’ frustrations.

The Minister also shared that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), responsible for implementing rehabilitation programs in the new prison, had recently visited Sint Maarten. In the meantime, the Ministry is finalizing short-term rehabilitation programs to begin offering these services now and carry them into the new prison. The association agreed that the immediate priority should be stabilizing the current conditions, followed by meaningful progress on longer-term reforms, including rehabilitation programs.

Current Situation

During a second emergency crisis management meeting on May 15, the Ministry of Justice brought together key stakeholders to align on next steps. Present were the leadership of KPSM, the prison director, representatives from UNOPS (tasked with managing the new prison construction), the Ministry of BZK (Dutch Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations), and the Prosecutor’s Offices of Sint Maarten and Curaçao. A technical inspection of the affected prison block was reviewed during the meeting. Officials from the Ministry of VROMI, the Fire Department, forensic teams, and UNOPS confirmed that while the impacted area is currently unlivable, there is no structural risk of collapse. The reinforced concrete structure remains intact, which provides a solid foundation for repairs. Cleanup of the affected area set to begin today and will be followed by electrical and general repair work. Once the area is cleared, a secondary assessment will determine the full scope of the damage and provide a more accurate timeline for restoring capacity and returning inmates to their cells. Support continues to be mobilized from various partners. Aruba has offered to send five correctional officers, and the Ministry is currently finalizing logistics for their deployment. UNOPS is also activating one of their experts from within the region, with the aim of placing them on a flight to Sint Maarten today.

Additionally, a corrections expert who recently relocated from the Netherlands was on-site this morning at 9:00 a.m. to further assess the situation and share their expertise. Last night, the Coast Guard provided additional assistance on the ground, and immigration officers have been remobilized to support operations today and into the weekend. Additional Marines from Aruba are also scheduled to arrive today to strengthen the response capacity. In the interim, inmates will be held in several secure facilities, including Philipsburg, the Foreign Detention Center, and unaffected areas within Pointe Blanche. The Ministry has reached out to Kingdom partners to explore possibilities for temporary housing abroad; however, those partners are also experiencing capacity challenges. Inmate placements are being handled with care, considering individual risk levels and compatibility to maintain safety and order. Experts from Aruba and Bonaire have also been requested to assist with safety evaluations and staffing assessments. Mental health professionals are being arranged to provide psychological support to both inmates and correctional staff following the traumatic experience. The Minister also ensured the delivery of cases of bottled water to the prison after the fire affected the facility’s water dispenser.

Ongoing Investigation

The Police Force of Sint Maarten and the Public Prosecutor’s Office are currently investigating the incident. As an independent body, the Council for Law Enforcement (Raad voor de Rechtshandhaving) is legally authorized to initiate its own investigation at its discretion. If deemed necessary, the Dutch Safety Board (Onderzoeksraad voor Veiligheid) may also be called upon to investigate. Anyone found to be responsible for the fire will be held fully accountable and will face firm disciplinary action and, where applicable, criminal prosecution. As the investigation is ongoing, the Ministry will not provide further comment at this time.

Looking Ahead To The New Prison

This incident has reaffirmed the urgency of broader justice sector reforms. As part of its 2025–2028 program, the Ministry of Justice is executing a phased plan to modernize and expand the Pointe Blanch Prison. The new prison, which is being developed in partnership with UNOPS, will feature improved safety protocols, increased capacity, and rehabilitation programs. It will be staffed with professionally trained personnel and supported by modern security technology. Rehabilitation and reintegration are core to this transformation. With technical support from UNODC and other international partners, the Ministry is ensuring that programs focused on skill-building, mental health, and successful reintegration are embedded in the new facility from day one. These priorities will begin in the short term and carry into the future. More details on the new prison will be provided at a later date.

On a final note

The Ministry of Justice once again extends its sincere gratitude to all emergency responders and support teams who acted swiftly in response to the incident. Special thanks go to the Prison Staff, Fire Department, Ambulance Services, Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), VKS, Koninklijke Marechaussee, the Marines, as well as UNOPS, the Ministry of VROMI, the forensic teams, Kingdom partners, and everyone else doing their part. Their dedication, professionalism, and collaboration have been instrumental in ensuring safety, containing the situation, and moving recovery efforts forward. As the Ministry continues to manage this evolving situation, it is important to note that a number of false and misleading reports are circulating online and in the media. These messages are speculative, unverified, and in some cases, outright false. The Ministry urges the public to rely only on official communications and verified updates. In times of crisis, sharing accurate information is critical. The Ministry of Justice will continue to provide updates as progress unfolds.

St. Eustatius and Saba address PSO and Increased Rates for Makana.

The Governments of St. Eustatius and Saba wish to provide an update regarding the status of the Makana Ferry service and the ongoing discussions surrounding its operational funding under the Public Service Obligation (PSO) arrangement. The partners of this PSO agreement include the governments of St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Kitts and the Makana.

As part of the second phase of the PSO, an amount of $1 million was allocated to support the continuation of the Makana Ferry service for the years 2024 through 2025. This is a reduction of 50% from the previous PSO. During evaluations and negotiations with the Makana, it was determined that the allocated level of funding is not sufficient to sustain the service at its current fare structure, due to rising operational costs.

In the absence of further subsidy support, Makana has therefore had to make adjustments to their fares as of May 1^st in order to meet these operational expenses. While this change is unfortunate, it reflects the real financial pressures involved in maintaining essential inter-island connectivity.

The island governments of Sint Eustatius and Saba have actively engaged in discussions with the relevant ministries in The Hague to secure additional support, to prevent fare increases and preserve affordability for residents and visitors alike. Despite our concerted lobbying efforts, we regret to inform the public that we were not successful in obtaining the necessary supplemental funding.

During this period of uncertainty, Makana Ferry demonstrated commendable patience and cooperation by maintaining current fare levels up until May 2025, even without confirmation of additional subsidies. We extend our sincere thanks to the Makana team for their continued partnership and understanding as we work toward sustainable, long-term solutions.

We are also aware that there have been delays and cancellations, due to urgent repairs needed to the vessel. The Makana’s overall priority is ensuring the safety of its passengers, which is why this maintenance is crucial to upholding the service.

Please rest assured that our island governments remain committed to ensuring reliable and affordable sea transportation for our populations. We will continue to actively pursue all available avenues to secure additional funding for the remainder of 2025 and beyond.

Registration for Dutch Summercamp at MPC still open.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (MECYS), the Milton Peters College will be hosting its first “Dutch Summer Camp”. The aim of this summer camp is to help students improve their proficiency in the Dutch language in a fun and creative way.

The first summer camp will be held between June 30, 2025, and July 11, 2025, for current group 8 students who have registered for either the TKL or HAVO/VWO department for the academic year 2025-2026. The camp will be organized at the Milton Peters College. The morning sessions (8:30 am until 11:30 am) will focus on improving Dutch in a fun and playful way: through drama, songs, games, scavenger hunts, reading, and with a focus on the specific language needs of each child and study skills needed for a successful start in high school. The afternoon sessions will be centered around the arts, technical science, sports, and excursions.

The second summer camp will take place between August 11 and 15 and is meant for TKL graduates who will be continuing their high school careers at the HAVO/VWO department. This camp will focus on their specific needs to succeed in HAVO regarding the required level of Dutch, study skills, and research skills. In the afternoons, they will also participate in recreational activities. Both camps will end with a showcase for the parents.

Despite Dutch being one of the two official languages of Sint Maarten, it remains foreign to many individuals, including our youngsters. Many students therefore struggle to obtain an adequate level in the language, which is needed for nationalization, working in government, the judicial system and for studying in the Netherlands. With specific Dutch as a foreign language strategies, the Milton Peters College wants to show the students that learning the language can be effective and enjoyable.

The Dutch Summer Camps are financed through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (MECYS) and are therefore completely free of charge. The participants will be provided with a snack, lunch, and beverages.

There are still some spots available for both camps. For questions, please call 548-3511/548-3190 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

VROMI and World Bank Launch Critical Sanitation Workshop to Advance Wastewater Reforms.

patricegumbs16052025 PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Ministry (VROMI), in partnership with the World Bank and the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), officially launched a two-day sanitation workshop focused on enhancing the Sint Maarten Wastewater Management Project (SWMP), a transformative initiative to initiate the modernization of the island’s wastewater infrastructure towards safeguarding its marine environment and the overall health and quality of life of the people.

The Minister of VROMI, Honorable Patrice Gumbs, opened the session with a strong call to action: “We meet at the interface of sanitation and the sea. “When wastewater is safely managed, both public health and our blue economy flourish; when it is not, both are threatened.

The workshop brings together a range of stakeholders, including local NGOs, community leaders, technical experts, and representatives from key ministries, the World Bank and the NRPB, united by a shared mission to deliver sustainable sanitation solutions and build climate-resilient infrastructure.

The SWMP will contribute directly to Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and represents a concrete step toward implementing global commitments at the local level. Last September, the project secured US $25 million in financing, combining a $10 million grant from the Sint Maarten Recovery and Resilience Trust Fund and $15 million from the Government of Sint Maarten.

Progress is already underway:

A water quality baseline assessment is underway.
The design-and-supervision consortium for the wastewater treatment plant and sewerage network expansion is contracted. This group will also carry out the technical, social and environmental assessments needed to ensure a robust and sustainable solution can be tailored for the central part of St. Maarten.

Still, the Minister acknowledged the challenges ahead, including supply chain volatility, high bid costs, and the complexities of connecting individual households to the upgraded sewer network.

“Let’s be practical,” the Minister urged. “Flattening protocols and limiting bureaucracy is key. Our ability to be agile and efficient will determine how far we go.”

The workshop is guided by four core principles:

⁠Inclusivity – every household matters.
Climate resilience – infrastructure must withstand future shocks.
Evidence-based action – guided by science and field data.
⁠Collaboration – breaking down silos across sectors.

In closing, the Minister shared a hopeful vision for the island’s future:

“Picture a child diving off the jetty at Great Bay in 2030, clear goggles, clearer water. That future is the dividend of the choices we make in this very room.”

VROMI reaffirms its full commitment to leading this effort, supported by a dedicated team of wastewater experts.

Bonaire Human Rights President Addresses United Nations Women’s Meeting on Behalf of Bonaire’s Marginalized Women.

The President of the Bonaire Human Rights Organization and member of Muhernan Fuerte Bonaire, Davika Bissessar Shaw, accompanied by the leader of Pueblo Progresivo Unido, Mr. James Finies, participates in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW) meeting on May 15, 2025. Her attendance marks a critical moment in amplifying the voices of women and girls from Bonaire on the global stage.

This initiative by the Bonaire Human Rights Organization represents a significant step toward advancing the goals of the UN CSW, guided by the 2024 Pact for the Future where Mrs Bissessar Shaw attended last year and the Beijing Declaration’s legacy, particularly in promoting gender equality and the empowerment and rights of women and girls across all sectors of Bonairean society. BHRO wants to bring global attention to the specific challenges and human rights violations that women and children are facing in Bonaire.

President Bissessar Shaw will join leaders from UN Women and civil society organizations to advocate for the rights of women, children, and indigenous peoples. Bissessar Shaw's participation underscores the urgent need for communities from small islands to be represented in global discussions on gender equality, human rights, and sustainable development. Bringing Bonaire’s perspective to the forefront will help shape more inclusive and equitable policies that reflect the lived realities of vulnerable and marginalized populations.

The Bonaire Human Rights Organization remains steadfast in its mission to defend the rights and dignity of all people of Bonaire, with a special focus on those most at risk of exclusion from international discourse.

Her presence at this high-level meeting serves not only as a voice for Bonairean women and girls but also as a powerful reminder that no community—no matter how small—should be left behind. The Bonaire Human Rights Organization calls on the international community to listen, engage, and take meaningful action to uphold the rights of Bonairian women. This moment is not just about participation—it is about transformation.

President of Bonaire Human Rights Organization

Davika Bissessar Shaw, Kaya Libertador Simon Bolivar