Half a million guilders invested in expansion and modernization
WILLEMSTAD – The Internal Assistance Team (IBT) of the Curaçao Detention and Correctional Center (SDKK) has been significantly strengthened with the addition of nine new members and upgraded operational equipment. The official presentation took place on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, when Minister of Justice Shalten Hato formally handed over nine ministerial appointments to the newly trained IBT members.
With this expansion, the specialized unit has reinforced its operational capacity and its crucial role in maintaining order and security within the correctional facility.
The IBT is a specialized prison unit responsible for restoring order and ensuring safety during incidents, disturbances or emergencies within the institution. The team operates in coordinated formations, emphasizing discipline and teamwork to guarantee a secure environment for both staff and detainees.
The unit currently consists of 17 active members and six IBT commanders, all with extensive operational and emergency response experience. The addition of nine new members—who completed an intensive training and preparation program—further strengthens the team’s capacity.
In addition to expanding personnel, the Ministry of Justice has invested heavily in modernizing the team’s equipment. A total of approximately half a million guilders was allocated for the purchase of new operational materials.
The investment includes:
• 40 new uniforms
• 40 gas masks
• Protective vests
• Shields
• Specialized footwear
• Batons
• Communication equipment, including new radios and earpieces
• Work gear bags
The ministry also purchased two SUV-RAV vehicles for daily operational use within the detention center. While protective ballistic vests are still pending delivery, funding has already been secured and the procurement process is underway.
Once the final equipment arrives, the IBT will, for the first time in many years, be fully equipped and uniformly outfitted as a specialized correctional response team.
Minister Hato expressed his appreciation to all IBT members for their dedication, availability and ongoing commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities. He also thanked SDKK management and colleagues within the Ministry of Justice for facilitating the realization of the strengthening process.
With this step, the Ministry of Justice continues to invest in professionalization, institutional security and structural strengthening of personnel within SDKK, underscoring the government’s commitment to maintaining safety and operational readiness inside Curaçao’s correctional system.