PHILIPSBURG:--- In a stunning display of evasion, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling faced the press this Wednesday, attempting to spin a controversial new agreement with Suriname as a triumph of “transparency.” Yet, as the briefing unfolded, it became clear that the public was being offered little more than vague assurances and deflected questions.
The Minister confirmed what many have whispered about for weeks: foreign officers are coming to reinforce Pointe Blanche prison. Specifically, a one-year agreement will see a rotation of prison guards from Suriname deployed to Pointe Blanche starting March 1st. While Minister Tackling described this as a necessary "stabilization measure" to support an overworked staff, her refusal to disclose the price tag of this operation raises immediate red flags.
The Cost of Silence
During the Q&A session, SMN News pressed the Minister for answers regarding the cost of the deployment. How much is this initiative costing the taxpayers? What is the total financial impact of pausing payments to the Netherlands in order to fund this arrangement?
Tackling’s response offered little in the way of clarity. While she acknowledged that the paused payments to the Netherlands total 1.2 million euros annually, she steadfastly refused to share the actual operational costs of the Suriname deployment.
"I won't give the number publicly," Tackling stated, offering no valid justification for hiding the figures from the very people paying the bill. She claimed the costs cover housing, insurance, and a "small allowance," but without the hard data, the public is left to wonder if we are getting a good deal or being taken for a ride. Transparency, it seems, only matters when it is convenient.
A Band-Aid on a Bullet Wound
The Minister painted a picture of a prison system in crisis—plagued by "compounded sick leave" and "high workloads." Her solution? A temporary influx of foreign officers. For the next year, two groups of officers from Suriname will rotate through Pointe Blanche. Minister Tackling insists this measure will provide existing staff with much-needed relief, create time for training, and stabilize operations while longer-term solutions, such as local recruitment and updated operational procedures, are put into place.
However, this temporary fix ignores the rot at the core of the system. The Minister admitted that the current "function book" is outdated and that operational manuals are still being updated. We are bringing in outsiders to man a ship that we haven't even finished building the instructions for.
Furthermore, the Minister's promise of local recruitment rings hollow when weighed against ongoing challenges. She stated that there are 15 vacancies budgeted for 2026, but could not confirm how many current prison guards are actually on active duty versus those on sick leave—a point she said would require follow-up with prison HR. This uncertainty raises questions about how effectively the Ministry can recruit and onboard new staff when the current workforce situation remains unclear.
"Locals First" or Just Lip Service?
Minister Tackling was quick to address concerns that this agreement might be taking jobs from St. Martiners. She emphasized that the Suriname officers gain no legal immigration rights and that this is strictly a temporary, stop-gap measure to support current operations. “We don’t want to be dependent on external support,” she stated, reinforcing the intention to build local capacity in the long term.
Yet, actions speak louder than press releases. By prioritizing an agreement with Suriname over immediate and robust local reforms and recruitment efforts, the Ministry sends a discouraging message. While the Minister assures that local recruitment will begin in the coming months, the reality is that foreign officers will be arriving and starting their duties next week.
The Minister urges the public to "drive responsibly" and "celebrate responsibly" during the upcoming Regatta. It is high time the Ministry of Justice applied that same standard of responsibility to its own operations and financial accountability. Until Minister Tackling puts a price tag on this "assistance," the people of St. Maarten have every right to remain skeptical.
