PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, November 2nd and Friday, November 3rd a total of 59 inmates that were housed at the Point Blanche Prison were relocated to detention centers in Curacao and the Netherlands. 28 of these inmates were relocated to Curacao and the remaining 31 relocated to the Netherlands. The relocation of these inmates is in connection with repairs and reconstruction work which has to be done at the Point Blanche prison due to the damage caused by hurricane Irma. The relocation of the inmates was previously announced to the public via a press release sent out by Norman Serphos (the spokesperson for the Public Prosecutors Office).
This two day operation was a major undertaking which was carefully planned and executed led by the Police Force of Sint Maarten, involving the Point Blanche prison, the National Police Force of the Netherlands, The Royal Marechaussee, Public Prosecutors Office of Sint Maarten, the Office of the Attorney General (PPG), the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Curaçao, prison SDKK (Curacao), KPC (Police Force of Curacao), Department of Defence, the Ministries of Justice of Curaçao and Sint Maarten and the Ministry of Safety and Justice in the Netherlands.
The careful planning of this operation which may have caused some unnecessary delays or inconveniences for drivers and persons using public transportation during the very busy traffic hours but was done to ensure the safety and security of the community while transporting the inmates. All inmates arrived safely without any incident at the Princess Juliana International Airport, where a large transport aircraft and security personnel for their travel awaited their arrival. The flight to the Netherlands departed Sint Maarten on schedule on Friday afternoon November 3rd. The inmates will be in Curacao and the Netherlands for approximately six months.
The Police Chief Carl John who is very proud of the outcome of the operation expressed sincere words of congratulations and gratitude to everyone who has been involved in this operation in one form or the other, for their cooperation and demonstrating their high level of professionalism. The police chief is also thanking the community for their cooperation and patience during the entire operation. Without the cooperation of the community, the outcome of this operation would not have been as successful. The news is that all inmates have arrived safely in Curacao and the Netherlands and have been placed in the assigned correctional institutes where they will be staying.
KPSM Press Release
http://www.smn-news.com/st-maarten-st-martin-news/27565-point-blanche-prison-inmates-relocated.html
