Rehabilitation plans are taking root at the Point Blanche prison. St. Maarten’s Detention Sector Reform Programme (DSRP) is making progress with their multi-year programme, introducing sports, reading, photography and writing for prison residents.
POINT BLANCHE--St. Maarten’s Detention Sector Reform Programme (DSRP) has made progress in developing prison policies, preparing a future correctional workforce and expanding education, healthcare and rehabilitation activities, according to an update from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The multi-year programme, covering 2025 to 2029, is led by the Ministry of Justice, with technical support from UNODC and UNOPS. While UNOPS oversees the infrastructure component, UNODC is supporting institutional and operational reforms intended to prepare the correctional system for the new Point Blanche prison.
The programme aims to improve prison management, professionalise the correctional workforce, expand opportunities for education and reintegration, and prepare for the transition from the current facility to the new prison.
A Prison Operations Manual has been developed and validated, while a framework of policy areas and standard operating procedures is being established. Five policies and three standard operating procedures have been cleared, with one policy and five procedures under review.
UNODC said the work is intended to replace fragmented practices with clearer and more consistent operational standards, safeguards and staff guidance.
Workforce planning has also advanced. A function book has been finalised, defining 141 established positions and 188 full-time equivalents for the future 196-bed facility. The positions cover 46 job descriptions.
A recruitment campaign attracted 111 applications, and 22 candidates were recommended for correctional officer positions. The programme's next steps include onboarding the initial recruits in 2026 and launching another recruitment campaign in 2027 to build the workforce.
Sixteen officers have received basic training in security and dynamic security practices. Policies and procedures on the use of force and searches have also been prioritised, while an entry-level correctional officer training programme has been developed with local and international expertise.
The programme has expanded educational activities for incarcerated persons at Point Blanche Prison and the Miss Lalie Centre (MLC). Non-formal education initiatives, including photography, creative writing, reading and book clubs, engaged 31 participants. Six editions of prison newsletters produced by incarcerated persons have also been published across the two facilities.
Other initiatives have promoted literacy, storytelling and creative expression. An education and skills census covered 71 incarcerated persons, representing 80 per cent of the incarcerated population, according to the presentation.
The next steps include launching the IGNITE digital education pilot with 20 tablets, in partnership with the US National Sheriffs’ Association, and developing an institutional education plan.
Sports and physical fitness activities have also been expanded. A pilot programme launched in July 2026 with two United Kingdom experts engaged 43 incarcerated persons in football, basketball and fitness. A sports tournament involving all four housing units was also organised.
Prison staff reported reduced stress, improved sleep and better well-being among participants on sports activity days. The programme is expected to continue in 2027, with collaboration formalised with the St. Maarten Sports Federation and the National Sports Institute.
A Prison Health Sprint was conducted to assess physical and mental health needs. Screenings covered 57 incarcerated persons at Point Blanche Prison, 14 at MLC and 17 prison staff.
The exercise involved volunteer nurses and healthcare professionals, with support from several local and regional organisations, including the Mental Health Foundation. The findings established a baseline to help guide healthcare planning, resource allocation and budgeting.
UNODC identified stronger referral and treatment pathways, regular health screening and planning for healthcare services at the new prison as next steps.
Community partnerships have also been developed. An agreement involving the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (MECYS) and the St. Maarten Library was signed to establish a satellite library at Point Blanche Prison.
Religious services resumed in August 2026 following an eight-month suspension, with local churches rotating services every Saturday. Discussions with 50 community and private-sector stakeholders have also explored volunteering, education, mentorship, prison work programmes and employment opportunities after release.
A Prison Transition Team has been established, and a transition plan developed to coordinate preparations for the move to the new correctional facility.
Coordination with UNOPS has begun to identify equipment, procurement and infrastructure requirements. Workforce planning, staff training, operational policies and educational activities are also being aligned with preparations for the move.
UNODC said the transition involves more than relocating inmates and staff, requiring the prison system to prepare the personnel, equipment, procedures and services needed to operate the new facility.
Further priorities include reviewing legislation on the treatment of offenders, strengthening the Probation Service and community-based organisations supporting people after release, identifying delays in criminal case processing and promoting regional cooperation in prison and offender management.
The programme is guided by international standards, including the Nelson Mandela Rules, as well as European standards on detention and human rights. UNODC said the broader objective is to develop a more consistent and humane correctional system that supports public safety, rehabilitation and reintegration while strengthening the wider justice chain.
