Minister Boasman about prison: “We have to look at safety for all”

GREAT BAY – Minister Rafael Boasman (Justice) said yesterday that the Progress Committee has given him the time to implement his plan for the Pointe Blanche prison. The minister said that the plan of approach for the police is progressing well. “In a few months I expect to have met all the requirements. The prison is a different story though.”

Boasman said that he intends to bring Pointe Blanche up to international standards: “But that is not something we can do in a month or two.”

The prison does not have a staff shortage, the minister pointed out, but a high percentage of employees on sick leave. “You cannot go in and tell people: come back or I’ll fire you. They are human beings and we have to find out through experts what is going on. Someone might stay home because he is worried that it is not safe; but by staying home they maintain the unsafe situation for those who are working.”

Inmates and guards all have their rights, Boasman said. “We have to look at the safety for all. My responsibility is not only for the inmates, but also for the guards and the community.

On Tuesday the minister met with the task force consisting of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the police, the Court of Guardianship and the prison. “It was a very positive meeting. We have asked for three months to normalize the situation in the prison. That was in February, so we are still in that process.”

New locks have been ordered for the prison and fixing the fence is another project in progress.