WILLEMSTAD – A new legislative proposal aimed at reducing repeat offenses has been submitted to Parliament by citizen Gilian Obieze-Yanez. The bill, titled “Housing and Employment Guidance and Resocialization for Detainees,” was formally filed on February 26.
The proposal seeks to offer supervised housing to inmates during the final phase of their prison sentences. The goal is to facilitate a smoother transition after release by improving access to stable housing and employment opportunities.
According to the initiative, the absence of housing and work significantly increases the risk that former detainees will relapse into criminal behavior. Without a home or job, individuals face isolation and social exclusion, which can lead to both personal hardship and broader societal consequences.
The draft law outlines four main objectives: promoting sustainable reintegration, reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety, strengthening cooperation between ministries and external partners, and establishing a uniform resocialization structure in Curaçao.
Funding for the program would be allocated through the Ministry of Justice. The proposal also calls for the creation of a resocialization committee that would become active during the final twelve months of a detainee’s sentence. This would ensure that inmates have realistic prospects for housing and employment upon release.
If accepted for consideration, the proposal will be placed on the agenda of Parliament. The initiator would then have the opportunity to explain the plan during a committee debate. While Parliament must review and take a position on the proposal, it is not obligated to adopt the legislation.