Philipsburg:--- Minister of Justice Roland Duncan introduced two persons that he recently hired to reporters on Thursday. Minister Duncan introduced Mr. Edward Tony Rohan as the new Interim Director of the Pointe Blanche Prison. The Minister said Rohan was born on St. Maarten but he worked for a number of years at various prisons in the Netherlands over a 15 year period. Rohan has extensive training in Security Management and in the field of Prison Law and Management.
Rohan told reporters that some years ago he left St. Maarten and went to the United States to play professional baseball but that did not work out for him. He then returned to the island and left for Holland where he worked and studied. Rohan said he has 15 years of experience and he returned to St. Maarten to do what he could for his island with the knowledge and experience he gained overseas. Rohan further stated that he has a lot of work ahead of him, especially since the inmates are not cooperating with the ongoing renovation projects. When asked what are his priorities, Rohan said that he intends to intensify security at the detention centers on St. Maarten. One of the challenges Rohan faces is curtailing the importing of illegal items into the prison. Right now, persons from the community are seen sending illegal items by rope to the cells in Simpson Bay. Rohan said he heard of that situation but he has not yet come up with a plan on how to tackle the matter. "I am here just a few days now, and I am familiarizing myself with the institutions but as soon as I settle in, security will tighten."
The Minister of Justice also introduced to the media the new head of Judicial Affairs Mr.Vidjai Justia. Minister Duncan said that the new head of judicial affairs has a huge task ahead of him since he has to draft policies and laws. Justia will also have to assist the prison and police in drafting new policies, while he will be in charge of Youth Affairs.
Justia worked as a lawyer for the State Council, hereafter he was part of the technical assistance stationed in the Netherlands Antilles. Justia played a crucial role in establishing the departments of General and Legal Affairs of the island of St. Eustatius. Justia also worked on the execution of Netherlands Antilles tax law. As of January 2003, he worked as the coordinating special advisor employed by the human environment and transportation inspectorate. In the past years, Justia worked with several international and national bodies to assist in drafting policies and laws. He told reporters he has a vast amount of knowledge and experience which he gained internationally.
He said that while he only started the job on August 1, he already noticed that he has a lot of work ahead of him for the five year period he will be on the island. Justia said that right now the department of judicial affairs would need lawyers and they are busy looking for lawyers that are well rounded in all aspects of the justice system. Minister Duncan said that he already found some candidates but the Ministry cannot afford to hire them because their services are too expensive.
The Minister of Justice told reporters that the Justice Ministry is faced with several crucial problems. "Right now we have a shortage of space, renovations have to take place, and people have to be trained while we need to put people in their rightful positions. I already appointed four persons as acting unit heads in the prison. This was not in place at the Pointe Blanche Prison. When I took office in 2010, I met a dilapidated prison so I am busy trying to put things in place."
Justice Ministry looking at various buildings to house Sub-Stations and Community Police.
The Minister of Justice told reporters that he is busy finding locations to house several substations and offices for the community police in various districts. Minister Duncan said he already has an agreement with Royal Islander to install a control center on their properties while he is busy discussing with Port de Plaisance to obtain a building on that property to establish a police substation there. Minister Duncan said he is also discussing with a property owner on L.B. Scot Road and the Belvedere Housing Foundation to have sub-stations in those areas.
The Ministry of Justice already purchased the BBW building on Sucker Garden Road to house a training center and shooting range. The Martin Luther King School is under renovation. The intention is to house a substation and the offices for the community police for the Dutch Quarter and Middle Region area. The Martin Luther King School and BBW building will also have some classrooms for police trainings.
Minister still has to present the BOX Project to Council of Ministers.
When asked by SMN News if he will continue with his plans for the BOX in Cay Hill for a house of detention, the Minister said that government is about continuity and the former Council of Ministers already approved the project but he is now making some changes to the plans and he intends to take it to the Council of Ministers for approval by the end of this month. When asked if the BOX is one of the projects that will receive financing through the one hundred million guilders loan the island is seeking to obtain. Minister Duncan said that the Box is not included in that funding. In fact, he said the financing for the renovation and completion for the BOX has not yet been acquired. The Minister said he plans to hold town hall meetings after presenting the project to the Council of Ministers for approval. When asked by SMN News if he intends to use the third floor of the building which was constructed illegally, the Minister said he will not demolish that floor and then have to rebuild it. "The way the BOX is constructed it is ideal for a prison and the other plans he has for the building. "Part of the building will have cells, another part will have offices while in the front area there will be a youth detention facility. I can guarantee you that when the project is unveiled and the people see what will be there they will be impressed. But if they don't agree, then St. Maarten will have another huge problem to deal with.
It should be noted that the Minister of Justice was highly criticized by several members of Parliament when the news broke that he was discussing with Sameer Andrwos to purchase the BOX for the use of a prison. It is left to be seen if current coalition government will approve the BOX which was constructed without a building permit.
Stella to Head MOT, department must be in place before November --- Chitaroe's Contract Up.
The Minister of Justice also confirmed that the Secretary General for the Ministry of Justice Ligia Stella will be moving over to the MOT's office in Simpson Bay shortly. The Justice Minister said that he asked Stella to head the department because St. Maarten has until November to have the department up and running if not the island will be placed on the blacklist. Minister Duncan did not say how soon Stella will be moving over to her new office but when she does her position as Secretary General will become vacant.
The Minister also confirmed on Thursday that the Acting Head of Judicial Affairs Iris Chitaroe's contract has expired and she is currently on vacation. Minister Duncan said Chitaroe was one of those persons that were lent to St. Maarten when the island obtained its new status. "I am busy negotiating with her to see if I can get her to come back to the island in another position and the negotiation is not yet over."
