PHILIPSBURG:--- Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling has denied a request by former Member of Parliament Theodore "Theo" Heyliger for early release from prison, according to a decision issued by the Ministry of Justice.
Heyliger had requested release before his regular conditional-release eligibility date under what has been described as an "early release" arrangement. As part of his request, he indicated his willingness to be placed under electronic monitoring through the use of an ankle bracelet and also asked to be considered under any prison-capacity release measures being applied because of the overcrowding crisis at the Pointe Blanche Prison.
The Minister rejected the request, including the proposal for electronic monitoring, ruling that Heyliger has no automatic legal entitlement to early release before his conditional release date.
According to the Ministry's calculation, Heyliger will become eligible for regular conditional release on January 27, 2027. However, reaching that date does not guarantee his immediate release, as any conditional release remains subject to the applicable legal procedures and administrative decision-making.
The decision is nevertheless expected to raise renewed questions about how time served is being calculated, how the Government's 2023 conditional-release policy is being implemented, and what criteria are being used to determine which inmates qualify for release amid the longstanding detention-capacity crisis at Point Blanche Prison.
Based on SMN News' independent calculations, Heyliger has already served close to 60% of his total custodial sentence. When measured against the statutory two-thirds point at which prisoners ordinarily become eligible for conditional release under the criminal justice system, SMN News calculates that he has served approximately 82% of the period leading to that eligibility threshold.
The decision is also likely to fuel debate over consistency in the application of release policies, particularly at a time when prison overcrowding has resulted in other inmates being released or alternative detention arrangements being considered because of the limited capacity at the Point Blanche Prison.
Questions are also being asked whether this decision is political in nature, as Theo is seen as a threat to many sitting in government today. People's disappointment with this government may lead many to vote for Theo in the next election. If the government were to call an early election, they may think they could exclude him from the next election.