~ Detailed plans for youth detention facility ready ~
PHILIPSBURG--Justice Minister Roland Duncan is aiming to take his plans for a medium security prison and a youth detention centre to be located in what is popularly referred to as "The Box" to Parliament by the end of November.
The minister told The Daily Herald last night that the medium security prison would be primarily for younger offenders, while hardcore inmates would remain in the Pointe Blanche prison. The youth detention centre will be located at the front section of The Box, but will be separate from the medium security prison.
A major portion of the administration at the Pointe Blanche prison also will be relocated to The Box. An interrogation room and a family meeting room also will be included in the facility, which will be developed at an estimated cost of less than US $20,000.
Duncan said negotiations were being held for financing for the project via the developers and it was government's intention that it would own the building in 10-15 years.
He said that given the current shortage of prison cells, the intention was to start building the cells at the new facility as soon as approval for the project was given.
In an interview on Radio Soualiga 99.9FM earlier Sunday, Duncan said he had decided to have a detailed technical preparation beforehand because of the controversy over the creation of a detention facility at The Box and the terms of reference had been received two weeks ago.
This included a detailed preliminary sketch and the technical requirements needed to transform The Box into a prison facility. The relevant document deals with items such as the types of keys, locks, furniture and toilets needed at the facility.
Duncan said he also had received a detailed sketch for the new 15-bed youth detention centre to be located in The Box. He said that while there were some local private organisations catering in different ways to neglected, abandoned and rude youth, a detention centre such as the one being planned did not exist in St. Maarten.
"We have everything worked out technically ... and I will present that to the Council of Ministers and then it will be open for full scrutiny. I'm trying to do my homework correctly to make sure that we will answer questions correctly," he said.
"I intend to go to Parliament before the end of November. Between now and the 15th of November I intend to go to the Council of Ministers, because I'd like to sign before the end of the year if we are allowed to sign."
The youth detention centre will cater to the rehabilitation of troubled youths. In the past they would have been sent to Cura�ao. Duncan said while there was a previous report for a 31-bed youth detention facility for St. Maarten, the capacity could not be substantiated. Some 18 of the new recruits will be assigned to work at the youth detention centre.
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