WILLEMSTAD — The Council for Law Enforcement has released a critical report highlighting years of inadequate aftercare services by the Curaçao Probation Service, citing chronic understaffing as a major factor. The council concluded that for an extended period, the service was unable to fulfill its legal responsibilities in supervising and supporting convicted individuals and those involved with the judicial system. 

The report, presented on Tuesday, reveals that the probation service failed to provide adequate oversight and guidance to its clients due to a lack of personnel. Additionally, annual reports from 2018 to 2022 lacked essential data, including the number of client meetings and interventions, raising concerns about accountability and transparency. 

During the course of the investigation, the Council noted a recent improvement: the hiring of nine new probation officers. The Council welcomed the step but stressed that staffing levels must remain sufficient to ensure the proper execution of core duties. 

The report also urges the Probation Service to begin systematically tracking and documenting its activities. According to the Council, maintaining reliable data is essential not only for internal oversight but also for evaluating the effectiveness of judicial and rehabilitation processes. 

The findings underscore the need for structural improvements within Curaçao’s probation system to uphold public safety and support rehabilitation efforts for those reintegrating into society.