SECOND FOLLOW UP INSPECTION JUVENILE DETENTION ST MAARTEN MISS LALIE CENTER
SECOND FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION – MISS LALIE CENTER, ST. MAARTEN (2025)
Report:
Sint Maarten Juvenile Justice Facility – Miss Lalie Center
Filed under: Detention – Youth | May 2025
The Law Enforcement Council conducted its second follow-up inspection of
the Miss Lalie Center (MLC)
in 2025 and issued a grave warning.
The Council finds that the facility no longer prioritizes the rehabilitation of juvenile males.
Limited resources now obstruct essential areas such as education,
daily programming, safety, and facility maintenance.
These bottlenecks severely undermine MLC’s core mission.
Once again, the Council concludes that the rights and interests of the juveniles remain compromised,
as in 2020.
The center’s deteriorating condition continues to place young people at risk, both socially and developmentally.
State of Law Enforcement Sint Maarten 2024: Demand for Unified, Functional Action
On May 1, 2025, the Council presented its 2024 State of Law Enforcement to both the
Minister of Justice and the Parliament of Sint Maarten.
This report outlines systemic issues in law enforcement, extending beyond individual inspections.
While the 2023 edition focused on judicial cooperation across countries,
the 2024 report addresses mounting local issues,
especially juvenile delinquency and cross-border criminal dynamics.
The Council stresses that repression alone fails to yield sustainable results.
Instead, it demands a well-functioning,
integrated chain approach—one that transcends ministries and borders.
The Call for Integration
The Council has repeatedly emphasized the vulnerability of law enforcement in Sint Maarten,
driven by chronic shortages in material, personnel, and funding.
These structural weaknesses demand a smart, unified use of available resources.
To tackle local and cross-border problems, the Council advocates for a strategic,
integrated approach.
This framework must incorporate four pillars:
- Prevention – Through awareness and education.
- Management – With adequate leadership and staffing.
- Cooperation – Across agencies and countries.
- Protection – Safeguarding human security, institutional resilience, and personnel well-being.
Without firm and consistent intergovernmental collaboration,
the Council warns, the situation will continue to degrade.
While some examples—such as cross-country police cooperation—show promise,
many opportunities for synergy remain unused.
Juvenile Crime: A Growing Threat
The Council highlights the rising rate and severity of juvenile offenses in Sint Maarten.
Youths are committing serious crimes at younger ages.
Multiple studies have confirmed this worrying trend.
To reverse it, stakeholders must adopt an integrated strategy that addresses root causes and promotes long-term reform.
Human Security at Risk
In 2024,
the Council renewed its call for investment in the people within the justice system.
Improving both the quality and quantity of personnel strengthens institutions and fosters public trust.
Fair pay, better working conditions,
and mental and physical safeguards for justice personnel form a powerful buffer against corruption and burnout.
These steps also reinforce the legitimacy of justice institutions locally and abroad.
Cooperation Yields Results—But Gaps Remain
The Council reviewed two active cooperation initiatives in 2024:
regional police collaboration and forensic care.
While police cooperation showed measurable success, the forensic care partnership still lags in tangible impact.
As such, further effort and attention remain essential.
Accountability Still Lacking
Despite years of Council reports,
the Parliament of Sint Maarten continues to ignore its duty to formally respond,
as required by law.
The Council reiterates:
lawmakers and the Ministry of Justice must take responsibility and act decisively.
Final Note
Throughout 2024, justice chain personnel worked tirelessly under difficult conditions.
The Council acknowledges their dedication and expresses its sincere appreciation.
All Council reports, including the 2024 States
of Law Enforcement for Sint Maarten,
Caribbean Netherlands, and Curaçao, are available on the Council’s new website:
Furthermore Moreover In addition Also Not only that Besides Contrast However
Nevertheless On the other hand In contrast Still Yet Cause & Effect Therefore As a result Consequently
Thus For this reason Accordingly Time/Sequence Meanwhile
Subsequently Then Afterward
At the same time Eventually Examples/Emphasis
For example
For instance In fact Indeed Specifically Namely Conclusion/Summary
In conclusion
To summarize
Ultimately
In short
All things considered Overall Clarification/Restatement
That is In other words To put it another way Simply put Namely To clarify
urthermore Moreover In addition Also Not only that Besides Contrast However
Furthermore Moreover In addition Also Not only that Besides Contrast However