Philipsburg:--- The Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba, chief prosecutor on St. Maarten Hans Mos and the Dutch representative on the island were among some of the dignitaries that attended the opening ceremony of 32 new spaces Thursday at the Philipsburg Police Station.Detainees who are held at the police holding cell would for the first time be sleeping on a mattress covered in leather. They have a decent bathroom and a well painted facility that is fully equipped with surveillance cameras and lighting. While being in prison is not a pleasure for no one the current facility is habitable compared to the one that is currently in use. The new holding facility comprises of four cells that can accommodate four prisoners, four cells that will accommodate three prisoners and four cells that cells that will be accommodating two prisoners this brings the total to 32 detainees at a time. Each cell space is ten square meters as stipulated by law.
Chief Inspector Anthony Rogers told the gathering that he was given the task to make sure the project was completed in accordance with the international standards laid down by the European Commission for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). Rogers said opening the extra police cells is a milestone for St. Maarten Police force and society. He said the police organization made a promise to the CPT to ensure that they will upgrade their police holding cells to meet international standards, thus they have kept their promise. Rogers said after the inspection was conducted by the CPT it was clear that St. Maarten had to get its house in order by upgrading the police holding cells. Rogers further explained that based on the report of the CPT had St. Maarten not complied then the Kingdom was going to come down on the island's authorities.
While Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos in his short speech said the island is on the brink of becoming country and a decent country would treat its prisoners in a decent way. Mos said while justice must prevail, prisoners must be treated decently and proper. Mos said currently prisoners are not treated decently and the CPT has told St. Maarten and the other islands including the Netherlands that they must treat their prisoners decently. Mos said a good beginning represents only half of the job, thus the other half has to be completed. Mos said the other half is the Pointe Blanche house of detention which needs renovation and extension. Mos said there is need for more space at the house of detention and if justice is to be served those condemned must be able to fully serve their time in prison.The island chief prosecutor has issued a challenge to the government of country St. Maarten to make the extension of Pointe Blanche House of Detention their number one priority.
Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba said the extension and completion of the cells was big issue each time she would visit the island since St. Maarten had to comply with the international regulations. Jacoba said she is proud to see the cells completed prior to the island achieving its country status and allowing them to compete internationally. Jacoba said her hope is for the detention center for immigrants to be completed by the end of the year so that the immigration and police can begin with intense controls.