PHILIPSBURG - Well-behaved prisoners who meet the requirements of the Ministry of Justice are being released from the prison early under a new GPS-based electronic monitoring system which started two weeks ago, Prison Director Edward Rohan said in an interview.

 

The idea to implement this system is not new, but this is the first time that a system has been found that works adequately for St. Maarten.

 

Prisoners are released with an electronic-monitoring device around their ankle, which communicates to a computer system at the prison at all times.

 

Programming

The device can be programmed so that an alarm goes off if the detainee is not at the right place at the right time. "Within that, we can set up a programme to suit that particular detainee," Rohan explains. "For instance, if a detainee has a job or goes to school, the device can be set to accommodate that."

The consequence if a detainee is not where he or she is supposed to be, is that a loud alarm will go off. The device then needs to be reset.

 

Detainees receive penalty points for any infractions regarding the device. For instance, for not being home on time, they receive 20 penalty points; at 50 they will return to the prison.

 

"Certain infractions carry an immediate 50 points, such as committing a further offence and tampering with the device," Rohan explains.

 

It is unlikely the device will go off by mistake. In the last few weeks, engineers have been busy ironing out any remaining small flaws such as an occasional small delay in the signal of the tag being sent back to the monitor in the prison.

 

Observation

At the moment, four detainees have been released with the device.

Rohan showed a monitor on which four dots can be seen around the island. "Here you can see the detainees," Rohan says. When he clicks on each dot, a photograph and basic information about the detainee appears. "This man has a job," Rohan points at one of the dots. "His device is set so that he has enough time to get home after work."

A ground rule is that all tagged detainees have to be at home by 7:00pm. "The only reason we would change that is, for instance, if someone is working as a chef and can only do his job at night," Rohan explains.

 

Detainees also have a duty to ensure the device is charged. This means that they have to connect the device to a power source for an hour-and-a-half each day; not charging the device carries penalty points.

 

Numbers

Pointe Blanche Prison currently has 134 detainees. There are also a number of detainees at Philipsburg Police Station, and the cells at Simpson Bay Police Station are currently closed for renovation. As far as Rohan is concerned, some 20 per cent of these prisoners should soon be out with an ankle tag.

 

The qualifying factors are a record of good behaviour whilst in jail and a urine test which shows negative for drug use. Prisoners must also be permanent, legal residents in St. Maarten and their participation in the programme must be approved by the Minister of Justice. Only prisoners serving a sentence of at least 15 months are eligible for the scheme, and the scheme applies to all offences.

 

Control

Detainees cannot leave the island, and they must stay on the Dutch side. "It is important to remember that those who are released under the scheme are still detainees," Rohan says. "They are strictly controlled.

They have a set schedule and we can also closely monitor their whereabouts at any given time. If they stray in any way, a loud alarm will go off, which could be embarrassing for the detainee."

 

Prisoners still have to spend a considerable amount of time in jail. A detainee would normally be eligible for parole after two-thirds of their sentence; however, a percentage of the total sentence may then be served outside the prison with an electronic tag. The maximum time that a detainee can be on a tag is six months.

 

Repeat offenders are not eligible for parole until four-fifths of their sentence has been served, but they are also eligible for the electronic monitoring programme.

 

Stepping stone

"Really it's a stepping stone to going on parole and following the instructions of the parole officer. For the first period, the device forces them to follow instructions and have a structured life. They are forced to follow a strict schedule towards their rehabilitation. When this goes well the real parole starts and the detainees have already had some practice with following set rules and a strict schedule," Rohan says. "For the first period, they have electronic support," he adds.

 

For younger prisoners the scheme also offers opportunities, "We are very limited in the education we can offer in prison. With an ankle bracelet younger detainees would be able to go to school," Rohan says.

 

The scheme would not be possible without the support of the Probation Service, which oversees the progress of the detainees and encourages and helps them to return to employment, education or volunteering. The detainees have a weekly meeting with their probation officer during which the scheme for the next week is determined.

 

Investment

The electronic monitoring system used by the prison is manufactured by American firm Fennix Global Technologies. A good investment, as far as Rohan is concerned. "The average cost of having a detainee outside of the prison with a tag is around US $25 a day. To have a detainee inside the prison costs closer to US $200 per person, per day."

 

In the cash-strapped justice system, Rohan has plenty of ideas to put the saved money to good use. "Getting more staff is a priority we're going to concentrate on," Rohan says. "The electronic monitoring system is an investment everyone benefits from."

 

The Daily Herald