THE HAGUE - This past week, the Dutch Parliament expressed grave concerns over the deplorable conditions at the SDKK prison in Curaçao. During a recent working visit by the Parliamentary Committee to Curaçao and Bonaire, representatives were deeply affected by what they encountered. Especially, the GroenLinks-PvdA, D66, and SP factions called on Justice Minister David van Weel to intervene immediately, despite Curaçao being responsible for its own prison system.
GroenLinks-PvdA Member of Parliament Songül Mutluer described the experience as shocking. “It felt like a bad movie,” she said, referring to the extreme heat, cramped cells, and unsafe conditions for both inmates and staff. Hanneke van der Werf (D66) stressed that the situation is detrimental not only for prisoners but also for the employees. Michiel van Nispen (SP) called the conditions “a dismal standard,” pointing to human rights violations that are unacceptable throughout the Kingdom.
The concerns extend beyond just Curaçao. Lawmakers fear that poorly treated inmates are more likely to return to criminal behavior, with repercussions for both the island and the Netherlands.
Minister Van Weel acknowledged Parliament’s concerns and expressed the government's willingness to assist where Curaçao seeks help. He emphasized feeling the pressure to improve the situation. In January, Van Weel will visit the island for the first time as a minister to discuss Parliament’s concerns, not only about the prison but also about Curaçao's gambling sector, which generates significant revenue but also fuels crime and corruption.
The discussion also touched on the critical staffing shortages in security services in Curaçao and Bonaire. The Parliament is pushing for greater cooperation with the Netherlands to address these issues.