Emmanuel: A prison launch at USM is both important and ironic, highlights the gap

GREAT BAY--Leader of the Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) party, Christophe Emmanuel on Sunday welcomed the start of construction on the new prison and the promise of better conditions for rehabilitation. He also asked a simple question of irony: If we can launch a prison project at the University of St. Martin (USM), when will the university itself receive the same attention and support to keep people out of prison in the first place? "I thought it was somewhat ironic that a celebratory launch of a 52 million prison would be held at an institution of higher learning that is in the same conditions for almost 40 years," he said.

Emmanuel said his point is not to attack the prison project. A modern facility is needed, people who break the law are still people, and rehabilitation programs require proper space. The issue is balance. "Government plans to spend about 52 million on the prison. Just a small piece of that investment in USM could strengthen the path of opportunity that keeps young people in classrooms and at work, not in jail cells," he added.

He acknowledged the comments by the Minister of Justice to try to bring all sectors to the table to discuss the underlying forces of crime, but stressed that a Minister of Justice should never have to get to that point. "These things should be second nature, they should happen this week or next. Though it is needed, we cannot in good conscience as people who love this country, be happy about a 52 million prison," he said.

He said in the context of prevention, the same applies to sport, explaining that small sport fields and courts in the communities are often the first line of prevention. On a larger scale, he pointed out that the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex needs upgrades with its still dilapidated bleachers and lack of a proper pool. Emmanuel noted the work of the St. Maarten Sports Federation and partners to professionalize membership and roll out programs like Sports Unites. "These efforts are steps in the right direction, they also need consistent financial support to reach more youth and to last."

"This is a whole of government responsibility. Prevention is not only a Justice matter. Cost of living pressure, low salaries, and limited entry level jobs feed frustration of young men and women which opens the door to them making risky choices. When families are under pressure, when programs for young people are few, the street will fill in the gap. And that is never a good option. A space problem at the prison is not only a facilities issue, it is also a social signal that the country’s course needs correction," Emmanuel said.

Emmanuel continued: "Education results tell a similar story. When the biggest high school struggles to clear roughly 60 percent pass rates year after year, something systemic is off. Students talk about boredom and idle time. Idleness turns into the wrong kind of busy. What happened to the plans to establish better campus life at USM? All sorts of events and meetings and project launches are held at the same institution that have to sit back and be envious of the kind of support it does not get. The kind of support that would give teens and young adults better reasons to stay the course."

He re-iterated that the new prison is necessary, that is clear. "The launch event at USM, with the prosecutor's and people like that in attendance is something, but it's not a celebration in the sense of the word. It should push leaders to show the same urgency for prevention. That means stable funding for USM, real upgrades at Raoul Illidge, and continued backing for Sports Unites and other programs that keep youth active and connected. It also means policy that tackles the drivers of crime."

"For me its simple. Matching the energy and money for incarceration with equal commitment to education, sport, and second chances is how we reduce the flow to the prison and increase the flow to classrooms and jobs," he concluded.

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