PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Library is proud to announce its partnership with the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset in support of their Community Book Drive, an initiative aimed at restocking six Free Little Libraries throughout the community. This effort is part of the broader SXM DOET volunteer campaign scheduled for May 16–17, 2025.

In alignment with its mission to foster literacy, lifelong learning, and community engagement, the Sint Maarten Library will donate a selection of used books, including children’s, adult, and multilingual titles. These contributions will support the Sint Maarten Library and Rotary Club’s ongoing commitment to accessible reading materials and the development of a reading culture on the island.

A symbolic book handover and photo opportunity took place at the Sint Maarten Library on Friday, May 16, 2025, with representatives from both organizations present to cover this collaborative milestone.

General Manager of the Sint Maarten Library, Mr. Marc Marshall, expressed his appreciation for the initiative: "The library is honored to support this meaningful effort by the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset. Encouraging reading and ensuring access to books in all neighborhoods is vital for the growth and development of our community."

In addition, representatives of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset, President Franklyn Salomons and Mr. Billy Jean-Baptiste, shared their thoughts on the partnership: ‘This collaboration exemplifies the power of community engagement. We are deeply grateful to the Sint Maarten Library for supporting our mission to expand access to books and promote literacy across our island.’’

This partnership reflects a united commitment to advancing literacy and education across Sint Maarten, underscoring a shared vision of building a stronger, more informed, and empowered community. At the heart of this initiative is the Sint Maarten Library, whose longstanding dedication to promoting literacy, education, and cultural awareness continues to shape and support the intellectual growth of the island. Through a wide range of inclusive programs and resources for all age groups, the library remains a cornerstone in fostering lifelong learning and enriching the lives of community members.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, is supporting the implementation of the Group 3 Learning Assessment scheduled for June. The assessment, which will involve 24 student groups from all public and subsidized primary schools, will measure students’ reading and mathematics levels. It is part of the Trust Fund’s Fostering Resilient Learning Project (FRLP), which supports both school reconstruction and broader improvements in Sint Maarten’s education system.

This is the second round of learning assessments under the FRLP. The first, conducted between 2023 and 2024, focused on Early Grade Reading and Mathematics (EGRA/EGMA) and revealed performance gaps that led to improvements in teaching support, curriculum planning, and school-based interventions. The 2025 assessment builds on that foundation by offering updated data to guide educational decisions and contribute to more robust learning environments.

The new assessment cycle also contributes to the launch of the Ministry Management Information System (MMIS); a digital platform designed to collect, organize, and analyze education data. Assessment results will be uploaded to MMIS, enabling the Ministry to track student progress, identify learning gaps, and support long-term planning with reliable evidence. Strengthening education information systems is a central feature of the FRLP’s approach to resilience, it ensures that learning can continue, and systems can recover quickly in the event of any disaster or disruption.

To prepare for this year’s assessments, 20 assessors, most of whom are retired local educators, received training in April. The training was led by an international expert and focused on administering the assessments and using a dedicated online platform to upload and manage data. During the training week, MECYS also reviewed and updated the 2023 assessment formats and uploaded new versions for 2025. Group 5 assessments were also finalized for use later in the year.

With schools already informed of upcoming introductory visits by assessors, preparations remain on schedule for testing in the first half of June. In the weeks ahead, MECYS and schools will hold information sessions to help parents and guardians understand the purpose of the assessment and how they can support their children.

The Honorable Melissa Gumbs, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, expressed her support for the upcoming assessment.
 "The Group 3 Learning Assessment will help us make better evidence-based decisions. To make sure all children in Sint Maarten have a fair chance to do well in school, we’re investing in tools that show where students are and what kind of support they need. We’re optimistic that these tools will help us improve our education strategies."

MECYS continues to build the knowledge and capacity of their personnel to manage future learning assessments and the recommendations that will come from the derived data.

The FRLP is implemented by NRPB on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten. It is funded by the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, financed by the Government of the Netherlands and managed by the World Bank.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Chair and Vice Chair of the Justice Committee in parliament, Honorable Members of Parliament Sjamira Roseburg and Lyndon Lewis, extend their sincere appreciation and commendation to the Honorable Minister of Justice, Nathalie Tackling, for her swift response and decisive actions following the recent incident at the Point Blanche Prison and House of Detention involving a riot and fire outbreak.

MP Roseburg and MP Lewis expressed satisfaction with the decisions made and the efforts undertaken by Minister Tackling and the Crisis Management Team, who worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all inmates and restore order within the prison facility.

Both MP Roseburg and MP Lewis contacted Minister Tackling, respectively, to discuss solutions from a justice point of view in the interest of the inmates and prison employees alike. 

The Minister and Crisis Management collaborated to ensure that each inmate was provided with shelter and that stability was promptly reestablished.

MP Roseburg and MP Lewis also voiced their support for the Ministry’s ongoing initiative to finalize short-term rehabilitation programs, which are also expected to be implemented in the new prison facility. These programs are seen as critical steps toward meaningful correctional reform.

Furthermore, the Justice Committee in parliament extends heartfelt thanks to the key stakeholders and our sister islands for their assistance and contributions in any form during this challenging time.

MP Roseburg and MP Lewis emphasized the urgency of scheduling the Justice Committee’s round table meeting regarding the prison. The objective will be to discuss further and propose actionable measures and solutions to improve prison conditions and strengthen security protocols.

Both the Chair and Vice Chair reaffirm their commitment to supporting the Ministry of Justice in implementing sustainable reforms to create a safer, more secure, and more effective correctional environment in Sint Maarten.

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten – Friday, May 16, 2025 – The Chair and Vice Chair of the Justice Committee in parliament, Honorable Members of Parliament Sjamira Roseburg and Lyndon Lewis, extend their sincere appreciation and commendation to the Honorable Minister of Justice, Nathalie Tackling, for her swift response and decisive actions following the recent incident at the Point Blanche Prison and House of Detention involving a riot and fire outbreak.

MP Roseburg and MP Lewis expressed satisfaction with the decisions made and the efforts undertaken by Minister Tackling and the Crisis Management Team, who worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all inmates and restore order within the prison facility.

Both MP Roseburg and MP Lewis contacted Minister Tackling, respectively, to discuss solutions from a justice point of view in the interest of the inmates and prison employees alike. 

The Minister and Crisis Management collaborative efforts ensured that each inmate was provided with shelter, and that stability was promptly reestablished.

MP Roseburg and MP Lewis also voiced their support for the Ministry’s ongoing initiative to finalize short-term rehabilitation programs, which are also expected to be implemented in the new prison facility. These programs are seen as critical steps toward meaningful correctional reform.

Furthermore, the Justice Committee in parliament extends heartfelt thanks to the key stakeholders and our sister islands for their assistance and contributions in any form during this challenging time.

MP Roseburg and MP Lewis emphasized the urgency of scheduling the Justice Committee’s round table meeting in regards to the prison. The objective will be to discuss further and propose actionable measures and solutions to improve prison conditions and strengthen security protocols.

Both Chair and Vice Chair reaffirm their commitment to supporting the Ministry of Justice in the implementation of sustainable reforms to create a safer, more secure, and effective correctional environment in Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:---In the aftermath of the riot and fire at the Pointe Blanche Prison on May 14, the Ministry of Justice has remained fully engaged in managing the emergency response and stabilizing conditions. This press release provides a detailed update on actions taken, ongoing recovery efforts, and the next steps toward long-term reform. Due to the damage caused by the fire and the uninhabitable condition of the affected area, 51 inmates had to be relocated. Some were transferred to Police Bureau cells in Philipsburg, while others were temporarily housed in unaffected areas within Pointe Blanche. The Minister of Justice, alongside the crisis management team, remained on-site until nearly 3:00 a.m., working to ensure that each inmate had a safe place to sleep and that order was maintained. “This incident has challenged our systems, but it has also revealed a silver lining – our collective strength,” said Minister Nathalie M. Tackling. “From emergency services and law enforcement to prison staff and government officials, everyone came together without hesitation.” Our priority remains the safety and security of all affected. We are moving swiftly, transparently, and with full focus on recovery and reform.”

Prison Visit and Inmate Discussion

The following morning, Minister Nathalie M. Tackling visited the prison to personally assess the damage after police forensics and VROMI had done their checks. She also met with the Inmates Association, where she provided a detailed briefing on her and the crisis management team’s actions, and which potential solutions were being explored to improve the current situation. The Inmates Association shared insight into what led to the riot and took time to acknowledge two of their members who acted bravely during the incident by risking their lives to free other inmates from their cells. They confirmed that guards were present and made a good judgment call, stating that they could not have unlocked the cells and helped others escape the fire without the support of the guards on site. The Minister thanked them for their swift and selfless action. She also explained the difference between a judge releasing a suspect, with or without the condition of an ankle bracelet (electronic monitoring), and the Minister deciding on (early) conditional release for convicted prisoners. She reiterated her commitment to finding fair and practical solutions to their concerns and the other prisoners’ frustrations.

The Minister also shared that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), responsible for implementing rehabilitation programs in the new prison, had recently visited Sint Maarten. In the meantime, the Ministry is finalizing short-term rehabilitation programs to begin offering these services now and carry them into the new prison. The association agreed that the immediate priority should be stabilizing the current conditions, followed by meaningful progress on longer-term reforms, including rehabilitation programs.

Current Situation

During a second emergency crisis management meeting on May 15, the Ministry of Justice brought together key stakeholders to align on next steps. Present were the leadership of KPSM, the prison director, representatives from UNOPS (tasked with managing the new prison construction), the Ministry of BZK (Dutch Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations), and the Prosecutor’s Offices of Sint Maarten and Curaçao. A technical inspection of the affected prison block was reviewed during the meeting. Officials from the Ministry of VROMI, the Fire Department, forensic teams, and UNOPS confirmed that while the impacted area is currently unlivable, there is no structural risk of collapse. The reinforced concrete structure remains intact, which provides a solid foundation for repairs. Cleanup of the affected area set to begin today and will be followed by electrical and general repair work. Once the area is cleared, a secondary assessment will determine the full scope of the damage and provide a more accurate timeline for restoring capacity and returning inmates to their cells. Support continues to be mobilized from various partners. Aruba has offered to send five correctional officers, and the Ministry is currently finalizing logistics for their deployment. UNOPS is also activating one of their experts from within the region, with the aim of placing them on a flight to Sint Maarten today.

Additionally, a corrections expert who recently relocated from the Netherlands was on-site this morning at 9:00 a.m. to further assess the situation and share their expertise. Last night, the Coast Guard provided additional assistance on the ground, and immigration officers have been remobilized to support operations today and into the weekend. Additional Marines from Aruba are also scheduled to arrive today to strengthen the response capacity. In the interim, inmates will be held in several secure facilities, including Philipsburg, the Foreign Detention Center, and unaffected areas within Pointe Blanche. The Ministry has reached out to Kingdom partners to explore possibilities for temporary housing abroad; however, those partners are also experiencing capacity challenges. Inmate placements are being handled with care, considering individual risk levels and compatibility to maintain safety and order. Experts from Aruba and Bonaire have also been requested to assist with safety evaluations and staffing assessments. Mental health professionals are being arranged to provide psychological support to both inmates and correctional staff following the traumatic experience. The Minister also ensured the delivery of cases of bottled water to the prison after the fire affected the facility’s water dispenser.

Ongoing Investigation

The Police Force of Sint Maarten and the Public Prosecutor’s Office are currently investigating the incident. As an independent body, the Council for Law Enforcement (Raad voor de Rechtshandhaving) is legally authorized to initiate its own investigation at its discretion. If deemed necessary, the Dutch Safety Board (Onderzoeksraad voor Veiligheid) may also be called upon to investigate. Anyone found to be responsible for the fire will be held fully accountable and will face firm disciplinary action and, where applicable, criminal prosecution. As the investigation is ongoing, the Ministry will not provide further comment at this time.

Looking Ahead To The New Prison

This incident has reaffirmed the urgency of broader justice sector reforms. As part of its 2025–2028 program, the Ministry of Justice is executing a phased plan to modernize and expand the Pointe Blanch Prison. The new prison, which is being developed in partnership with UNOPS, will feature improved safety protocols, increased capacity, and rehabilitation programs. It will be staffed with professionally trained personnel and supported by modern security technology. Rehabilitation and reintegration are core to this transformation. With technical support from UNODC and other international partners, the Ministry is ensuring that programs focused on skill-building, mental health, and successful reintegration are embedded in the new facility from day one. These priorities will begin in the short term and carry into the future. More details on the new prison will be provided at a later date.

On a final note

The Ministry of Justice once again extends its sincere gratitude to all emergency responders and support teams who acted swiftly in response to the incident. Special thanks go to the Prison Staff, Fire Department, Ambulance Services, Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), VKS, Koninklijke Marechaussee, the Marines, as well as UNOPS, the Ministry of VROMI, the forensic teams, Kingdom partners, and everyone else doing their part. Their dedication, professionalism, and collaboration have been instrumental in ensuring safety, containing the situation, and moving recovery efforts forward. As the Ministry continues to manage this evolving situation, it is important to note that a number of false and misleading reports are circulating online and in the media. These messages are speculative, unverified, and in some cases, outright false. The Ministry urges the public to rely only on official communications and verified updates. In times of crisis, sharing accurate information is critical. The Ministry of Justice will continue to provide updates as progress unfolds.