The Ministry of Justice shares the latest updates on the recovery and stabilization efforts
underway at Point Blanche Prison following the incident of May 14, 2025. These efforts continue
to prioritize inmates’ safety, functionality, and dignity while progressively restoring essential
services.
Fire Safety and Oversight
To ensure short-term and long-term safety, the crisis management team brought a fire safety
specialist to assess current conditions and provide expert guidance on fire prevention
measures, including smoke and heat detection systems. In addition, two members of the Law
Enforcement Council visited the facility. They toured the affected area as part of continued
institutional oversight to ensure that recovery actions are appropriate and effective.
Security Systems and Infrastructure
The prison maintenance team inspected all door locks and repaired the necessary ones to
ensure full functionality. To further strengthen internal security protocols, ten prison officers
received specialized training in operating the scanning machine located at the facility’s entrance.
Inmates are actively contributing to the recovery process, with scraping work progressing on
schedule and painting set to begin later this week. Their involvement supports timely repairs
and offers purposeful engagement as rehabilitation programs are being reintroduced.
Staffing Support
Two guards from Aruba have completed their assignments and returned home, while three
others from Aruba and two from Curaçao remain on-site to continue supporting operations.
Meanwhile, the Marines and the KPSM personnel remain actively deployed at the facility to
ensure ongoing operational stability.
Inmate Rights & Privileges
All inmates continue to have daily access to outdoor areas and those wishing to exercise this
right have done so without restriction. While recreational activities were temporarily suspended
at the onset of the emergency, a religious service was held over the weekend. Additional
activities will begin this week, including gym sessions, music classes, and sewing workshops.
The Probation Services has confirmed that a broader range of rehabilitation activities will be
made available in the coming weeks. This week, the head of the department is expected to visit
the facility to assess where programming can be most effectively implemented.
Due to space limitations following the incident, in-person visits remain temporarily suspended as
part of emergency protocols. In response, the prison administration has implemented a
telephone call schedule to ensure detainees can stay in contact with their families. This
measure was launched last week and will be gradually expanded to ensure all inmates who
wish to communicate can do so until in-person visits are safely reinstated.
In accordance with Article 32 of the Prison Regulation (‘Gevangenismaatregel), inmates’ rights
and privileges are reviewed every 72 hours, and decisions are made based on the current
situation in the facility, progress on the recovery work, and overall stability and safety.
Health Monitoring
The crisis management team has carefully reviewed the most recent health inspection report
and has taken into account recommendations, including further inspections once the recovery
efforts are complete. To ensure consistent oversight of hygiene and health conditions in the
facility, the team is in the process of developing a fixed inspection schedule.
The Ministry of Justice strongly urges the public and the media to rely solely on official
communications issued by the Ministry. The spread of unverified information can jeopardize
emergency operations and undermine public trust, especially in times of crisis. Transparency is
a core responsibility, and the Ministry remains fully committed to providing timely, accurate, and
verified updates as recovery efforts at Point Blanche Prison continue.
Source: Government of Sint Maarten https://www.sintmaartengov.org/news/Pages/Point-Blanche-Prison-Recovery-Efforts-Move-Forward-With-Determination.aspx
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