WILLEMSTAD – A special harvest event held on April 14, 2026, at Sentro di Detenshon i Korekshon Kòrsou (SDKK) showcased the progress of an agricultural program aimed at rehabilitation and personal development among inmates.
The activity gave invited guests a firsthand look at the prison’s farming initiative, while also allowing them to participate in harvesting a variety of crops, including pumpkin, papaya, tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, celery, and Surinamese long beans. All produce was grown and maintained by inmates.
Members of Curaçao Parliament and other stakeholders were invited to take part in planting and cultivation activities, providing them with direct insight into the program’s impact.
During the event, remarks were delivered by Reginaldo Doran, Director of Soltuna, Ludwin Maria from the SDKK management team, and Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Sithree van Heydoorn, who spoke on behalf of Minister of Justice Shalten Hato.
In his address, Van Heydoorn emphasized the importance of the initiative as a tool for meaningful change.
“Today at SDKK, an inmate is not just serving a sentence, but is learning skills that will allow him to re-enter society with employment opportunities,” he stated.
The agricultural program, introduced under the Pisas II Cabinet, is designed to provide inmates with practical skills and prepare them for successful reintegration into society. Training includes agriculture, mechanics, English language, information technology, and other vocational areas.
Inmates also receive education through OSBOD, enabling them to obtain recognized diplomas at the secondary vocational level.
Van Heydoorn noted that the results of the program are already visible.
“Today we are harvesting what our land produces — a variety of crops that shows that when we plant well, we can reap better,” he said.
A key component of the initiative is international cooperation with Suriname, where a twinning program has been established to exchange agricultural knowledge, including techniques for growing crops such as amsoi and paksoi.
Following the official speeches, participants were invited to tour the grounds, take part in the harvest, and learn more about the cultivation process directly from the inmates.
The event concluded in a relaxed, community-oriented atmosphere, where guests enjoyed fresh vegetable soup, pumpkin-based dishes, and oregano punch, all prepared using ingredients from the SDKK garden.
The Government of Curaçao reaffirmed its commitment to initiatives that support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, describing the SDKK agricultural project as a clear example of how investing in people can contribute to a safer and stronger society.
