PHILIPSBURG:--- A concerning incident has come to light as a young adult 22 years old is currently held in a police cell for over 30 days due to the overcrowded Pointe Blanche Prison, raising serious concerns about potential human rights violations under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This situation underscores the immediate need for the Ministry of Justice to devise a comprehensive solution to address the issue of prisons being overcrowded, including the implementation of alternative punishments.
Officially, the guideline stipulates that an inmate should only be incarcerated for a maximum of 10 days in a police cell. The detention of young adults in police cells beyond this period due to prison overcrowding is a clear infringement upon their rights and a breach of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits inhuman and degrading treatment. It is imperative that individuals of all ages are treated with dignity and respect.
Furthermore, it is essential to recognize that "if you do the crime, you should do the time," but under the correct circumstances. In this case, the individual in question is an asthma patient, and the conditions in the police cells are far from the best, exacerbating the risk to their health.
Additionally, we want to highlight that despite these alarming conditions, the prosecution office and the Ministry of Justice have yet to transport the young adult to a more suitable facility. Immediate action must be taken to rectify this situation and ensure the well-being and rights of the individual are upheld.
This case highlights the pressing necessity for the Ministry of Justice to take immediate action to alleviate the crisis of the overcrowded prison. The Ministry should develop and implement measures to address overcrowding, including the exploration of alternative punishment options, such as ankle bracelet monitoring, house arrest, and mandatory police reporting, especially for (young) individuals with special medical conditions.
We call upon the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution office to uphold the principles of justice and human rights by taking swift steps to resolve this crisis and ensuring that all citizens, including young adults with specific medical needs, are not subjected to such conditions.
The Ministry is urged to explore more viable alternatives to incarceration, particularly for individuals with medical conditions, to relieve the overcrowding situation, maintaining both justice and human rights.
