~ Four guns was discover in prison between 2014 and 2017, only two was reported officially by authorities ~
POINT BLANCHE PRISON, Sint Maarten — The Inmates Association with lawyer Sjamira Roseburg of Sulvaran & Peterson law firm, is taking the government to court. The safety of the inmates can’t be guaranteed and the living conditions in the prison are terrible.
Change has to come and fast and because of that an injunction case has been filed against the government.
Other than that, the President of Parliament will also receive a letter concerning the terrible issues the prison is facing; terrible living conditions, no education programs, no rehabilitation programs, no recreation, no staff. The prison is badly lacking the most important things in order for the prison to function properly.
Failure in rehabilitating inmates has led to, in 2014, the first of two guns being confiscated in the prison. In 2016, the second incident occurred with a fatal death in the prison, and one more gun was confiscated, and in 2017 during a cell search, the fourth gun was found. In total four guns were confiscated between 2014 and 2017.
Based on the above mentioned and the many promises made without any changes to better the situation, the Inmates Association together with their attorney Sjamira Roseburg were forced to file an injunction in court against the Government of St. Maarten.
Hopefully the awaited change will finally come.
