PHILIPSBURG:--- As the Detention Sector Reform Program (DSRP) approaches one year since its official launch, the Ministry of Justice brought together representatives of Government and justice-sector organizations, program partners, implementing organizations, and community stakeholders for the DSRP Conference 2026, providing a space to reflect on the work undertaken over the past year and highlight the interconnected efforts shaping detention reform in Sint Maarten.
Held on October 16 under the theme “Stronger Systems. Safer Communities.”, the conference brought together the different elements of the reform. Presentations provided updates on the DSRP’s first year, the Justice for Youth Program, probation and parole services, construction of the new Point Blanche Prison, and adult detention reform initiatives.
The conference highlighted how DSRP's different areas connect and contribute to the broader reform of Sint Maarten’s detention system. Infrastructure must be supported by effective operations and trained staff; rehabilitation must connect with education, employment, and opportunities after release; and youth services, probation, prevention efforts, and community support all play a role in creating pathways away from crime.
Beyond building the new Point Blanche Prison, other DSRP infrastructure work includes repairs to holding cells, continued development of the Miss Lalie Center as a Youth Rehabilitation Center, and upgrades to the Foreigner Detention Center. Alongside this, work continues across prison operations and staff development, rehabilitation and reintegration, youth crime prevention, community engagement and alternatives to detention.
In her opening remarks, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling emphasized the importance of accountability as the program reflects on its first year and continues to move the reform forward.
“Each of us is accountable for the commitments we have made: the quality of what we deliver, the time it takes, and whether it meets the needs of the people who must put it into practice. That means being willing to have difficult conversations about our capacity, decision-making, coordination, and pace. I would rather say that openly, here, than have us discover it later. A year into a reform of this scale, progress cannot be measured only by what is finished.”
Having different areas of reform represented in the same room, from Government and justice-sector organizations to youth services, probation, infrastructure, and rehabilitation and reintegration partners, created an opportunity to strengthen understanding of how these areas connect and how continued coordination can support progress across the wider system. Long-term reform will depend on maintaining these connections, strengthening local capacity and ensuring continuity beyond individual projects and partnerships.
As DSRP approaches its second year, the focus remains on building on the work underway and translating foundational efforts into lasting improvements across the detention system. Ultimately, progress will be measured by whether the reform strengthens the services and systems Sint Maarten relies on, supports meaningful rehabilitation and reintegration, and contributes to safer communities. The progress made so far provides a strong foundation for the work ahead and for continued improvements that will benefit Sint Maarten now and in the future.
To learn more about DSRP, explore its milestones, initiatives, updates, and resources, and connect through its social media channels, visit the newly launched DSRP online hub through the DSRP Linktree.
