The Ministry of Justice continues to make steady progress in the ongoing recovery efforts at
Point Blanche Prison following the May 14 fire. Guided by expert assessments and coordinated
inter-agency collaboration, the response has remained focused on restoring the facility's safety,
structure, and operational capacity.
Over the past two weeks, the Ministry has worked closely with the prison administration, KPSM,
UNOPS, Kingdom partners, and other key agencies under the leadership of the Crisis
Management Team. Together, these partners have ensured that recovery actions are executed
following the best practices and with urgency. Two structural experts from UNOPS have arrived
on-site to support technical assessments and reinforce recovery planning.
This past week, six inmates were successfully transferred to Bonaire. "We are deeply grateful to
our local teams and Bonaire for their coordination and support. The transfer was carried out
smoothly and with the utmost care for safety and protocol", stated Minister of Justice Nathalie
M. Tackling.
To further strengthen local capacity during the recovery phase, the Ministry confirmed that three
correctional officers from Aruba and two from Curaçao will remain in Sint Maarten throughout
June to provide on-site assistance. Electrical installation work is proceeding as planned and
without delays, with lighting and power outlets installed in 40 cells this week. Cleanup of the
affected area has concluded, and repainting is scheduled to begin in the coming week.
"Early inspections show a high standard of work, the smell of smoke has cleared, and conditions
in the affected area have improved considerably. Scraping and repainting of the cells is
scheduled for the coming week, with the goal of restoring them to operational use", Minister
Tackling reported.
To maintain order, the temporary suspension of inmate rights and privileges has been extended
for another 72 hours. However, inmates remain in contact with their families through phone
access, while on-site visitation remains on hold.
Since May 14, the Ministry has prioritized firm, swift, and accountable action, supported by
expert guidance and transparent financial oversight. "Our commitment to justice is unwavering,
and this response reflects that, from the swift actions taken to the strong coordination with our
Kingdom partners," said Minister Tackling. "Together, we are restoring infrastructure and
reinforcing safety, accountability, and institutional strength. As we move forward, our focus
remains clear: protecting the well-being of both staff and inmates while delivering a resilient,
transparent, and responsibly managed recovery."
The Ministry of Justice will continue to provide updates as restoration efforts continue.
https://www.sintmaartengov.org/news/Pages/Point-Blanche-Prison-Recovery-Advances-with-Strong-Coordination-and-Support-from-Kingdom-and-Global-Partners.aspx
