WILLEMSTAD - Since former Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte is behind bars, it has been one issue after another in the prison.

The management of the prison is busy with one of the new guests. Since Schotte, who is convicted of a corrupt convict, is behind the bars, incident upon incident is piling up. Schotte, the first prime minister of autonomous Curaçao in 2010, is sitting

Schotte, the first prime minister of autonomous Curaçao, is serving a three years sentence since 28 November 2018, but within one month he has already dealt with his first disciplinary punishment. Via a telephone line intended for contact between detainees and their families, Schotte called the popular ‘Radio Mas’ radio station to publicly complain about his treatment during a live broadcast.

Since it has been strictly forbidden since 2010 to contact the press without the permission of the prison authorities, warden Urny Floran has announced a sanction. Before the nature of this and the duration is determined, Schotte will first be heard. He, in turn, filed a lawsuit against the State.

Schotte thinks that outside regular visiting hours he is entitled to 'business visits', to discuss political issues. After all, he is still the leader of the MFK, the largest opposition party. But that cannot take place, according to the management. According to warden Floran, "the same rules apply to everyone". This means that Schotte can only receive one hour of private visits once every two weeks.

And then there is also a summary proceeding of fourteen detainees against the State in which they demand improvements of unhygienic conditions and the violation of human rights. It is unclear what Schotte's share in this protest is, but it does coincide with his protest against the circumstances in prison.