More money for detention capacity in public entities

THE HAGUE–The Dutch Government is making additional funds available for detention capacity in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba in the coming years. The Ministry of Safety andJustice is reserving 9.5 million euros annually for the next 5 years. According to the Ministry’s 2013 draft budget the9.5 million euros cover the operating cost of 125 places at the various centres of detention including the prison in Bonaire and the future prison in St. Eustatius. This is a slight increase compared to the 9.1 million euros that the Ministry had budgeted for 2012. In total, the Ministry has reserved 9.7 million euros per year for the  “execution of sanctions ordered by the Court and detention of foreigners” from 2013 until 2017.

The Ministry has budgeted 1.22 million euros forthe “execution of judicial sanctions” of the youth in the coming years and 4.9 million euros for the “adequate
access to the judicial system.” The Ministry has budgeted 16.57 million euros for the police force and fi re departments in the Dutch public entities. This amount remains unchanged between2013 and 2017.

The Caribbean Netherlands Police Force will be able to use an actualised crime view analysis in the first quarter of 2013, Dutch caretaker Minister of Safety
and Justice Ivo Opstelten announced in the Explanatory Note that accompanied the 2013 draft budget. “The findings of that analysis will enable the Public
Prosecutor’s Office and the Lt. Governor to develop a strategy based on priorities for the repressive and preventive fight against crime,” it was stated.

The Police Force will execute the prioritised crime areas in the course of 2013. The effectiveness of conduct by police will be determined through performance indicators. This is possible because the Police Force registers crime “structurally and meticulously” since 2012 which makes it possible to compare data in 2013, explained the Minister. The Ministry also makes a financial contribution to the Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten and Bonaire, St.
Eustatius and Saba on behalf of the Caribbean Netherlands.

Source: The Daily Herald, September 21, 2012