Contract to be signed this week for new prison, groundbreaking set for January, Anchored in the Detention Sector Reform Program

GREAT BAY--Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling on Wednesday announced the start of the preparation works and construction of St. Maarten’s new detention facility. The agreement will be signed this week, contractor mobilization and site closure are planned for November and December, a formal groundbreaking will take place in January. UNOPS has finalized technical design and planning, which clears the way for construction activities to begin within the next three months.

The project anchors the Detention Sector Reform Program, DSRP, a comprehensive effort led by the Ministry of Justice to modernize the full detention chain, from pretrial to post release. The program focuses on: modern, safe infrastructure, stronger rehabilitation and reintegration, improved working conditions and training for staff, and detention management grounded in dignity, accountability, and fairness.

Last week’s 35 year commemoration of the existing prison marked the transition point. Minister Tackling noted that the current facility has outlived its purpose and no longer reflects national standards or values.

“We expect to sign the agreement this week, we expect that the contractor will start to mobilize and close off the site and then initiate the site during the months of November and December for a groundbreaking to take place in January. UNOPS finalized the technical design and planning for the new detention facility, ensuring that it meets international standards of safety and functionality.”

The DSRP is led by the Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Government of St. Maarten, in collaboration with the Ministry of BZK and the NRPB, with technical support from two United Nations agencies:

UNOPS: infrastructure delivery, including the design and construction of a modern, safe and humane facility that meets international standards. Local subcontractors and suppliers will play a significant role, supporting the economy and building local capacity.

UNODC: rehabilitation, reintegration, and capacity building, including tailored inmate programs, enhanced staff training, and stronger management systems across the detention and reintegration process.

“The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the UNODC, will focus on rehabilitation, reintegration and capacity building, helping to develop tailored programs for inmates, enhancing staff training, and strengthening the systems that manage our detention and reintegration process.”

The Minister emphasized local ownership and accountability. “I want to be clear that this is a locally owned reform, designed for our people and by our people, and built on our priorities and implemented under our leadership, through this partnership St. Maarten gains access to international expertise while maintaining control, direction and accountability here at home.”

The DSRP is the product of planning, partnership, and lessons learned. It responds to the reality that facilities must support safety and rehabilitation, not only custody. The Minister linked investment in detainees to broader community outcomes.

“I believe that the way that we treat people in detention says a great deal about who we are as a society. When we invest in our prisoners, in rehabilitation, in education and reintegration, we invest in public safety, stronger families and a more stable community. A justice system that only punishes cannot create progress. A justice system that teaches, supports and rebuilds can.”

The program also strengthens the work environment for justice professionals. “It gives our staff the tools, the training and the environment that they deserve to perform their duties.”

UNODC teams are on island this week, conducting on site assessments with justice staff to shape rehabilitation, education, and capacity building programs. In the coming weeks, UN representatives will continue meeting with prison staff to capture their experience and ideas. The Ministry’s program management team is coordinating these activities to keep design, construction, and program delivery aligned.

“UN teams are meeting with our prison staff to listen to their experiences and their ideas. Their insight is essential to making sure that this transformation works in practice and not just on paper.”

With agreement signing this week, site preparation in November and December, and a January groundbreaking, the DSRP moves from plan to execution. “This is Saint Martin’s reform. It is led by our ministry and it is for our people, by our people. It is about building a system that reflects our values, strengthens our institutions, protects our people, and restores confidence in justice.”

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