MP Ottley Demands Urgent Action on Illegal Transfer of Prisoners After Court Rebukes Justice Minister
https://sxmnews.ai/from-bid-rigging-to-land-stealing-story-of-christopher-emmanuels-crash-out/
PHILIPSBURG–A recent court ruling has exposed a glaring failure in the Justice Minister’s handling of inmate welfare,
validating concerns long raised by Member of Parliament and United People’s Party Leader the Honourable Omar E.C. Ottley.
The court found that the prolonged detention of detainees beyond ten days at the Philipsburg and Simpson Bay police stations was inhumane.
This ruling also impacts the decision made by the Justice Minister to put those inmates incarcerated at the Pointe Blanche House of Detention in the police holding cells after a fire rendered much of Pointe Blanche Prison unusable.
Following the prison fire, the Minister of Justice chose to relocate detainees to police station holding cells despite their longstanding classification as unsuitable for extended detention.
MP Ottley, known for defending the rights of vulnerable individuals, swiftly condemned the move.
Today, Ottley’s warnings were confirmed when a two-judge panel ruled in favour of an inmate who challenged his detention conditions, citing a breach of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
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“This isn’t about vindication,” said Ottley. “It’s about standing firm on what’s right. The court has now made it clear: we cannot justify inhumane treatment, not in a democracy, and certainly not under my watch.”
While the ruling addresses one case, Ottley stressed that the issue is systemic. “This decision impacts the entire approach taken by the Ministry. It exposes the fragility of our correctional system and the urgent need for change.””
Shuffling inmates from one unfit facility to another is not a solution. We need real, immediate, and lasting reform, not just to uphold human rights, but to restore public confidence in our justice system.”
Ottley reiterated his call for the immediate transfer of all inmates currently housed in police station cells to proper detention facilities. He also addressed a broader issue: the glaring lack of a modern correctional facility.
“St. Maarten has spent years delaying prison reform while spending resources on incarceration. We are failing both the inmates and the society we expect them to re-enter.”
“We’re creating hardened criminals instead of rehabilitating people. First-time offenders are being mixed with repeat criminals in outdated cells, with no opportunity to reform.”
MP Ottley said St. Maarten desperately needs a modern correctional complex that meets international standards, not just for now but for the future.
He also stated that the recruitment of officers should take place immediately, as he is concerned that the officer-to-inmate ratio is dangerously low. “The recent riots and fire made it painfully clear that we are unprepared.”
While urging the government and the Justice Ministry to begin recruiting new officers, he also expressed concern about the care given to those officers presently working at the Pointe Blanche Prison.
“Our officers face daily danger. They deserve proper pay, respect, and opportunities for promotion, not outdated salary scales and bureaucratic neglect.”He said,
“These men and women put their lives on the line. If we expect professionalism, we must start treating them like professionals.” Ottley praised the court’s decision as a win for justice but also a wake-up call. “This ruling is a step toward accountability, but it also shows how far we’ve strayed.
Let’s stop pointing fingers and start fixing the problem. For the inmates. For the officers. For St. Maarten.” MP Ottley said he intends to continue holding everyone accountable and urges swift action, taking into complete account the recent court ruling.”
Now that the law has spoken, and we all know what’s morally right, the Minister must act. Our country cannot afford another scandal, another lawsuit, or another day of inaction. This is our moment to fix what’s broken, and I intend to hold everyone accountable,” said MP Ottley.