WILLEMSTAD – Prison officers at the Curaçao Detention and Correction Center (SDKK) have received specialized training to improve their handling of detainees and undocumented migrants, with particular emphasis on legal procedures, managing aggressive behavior, and maintaining security inside the prison. The initiative is part of a cooperation program between Curaçao's Ministry of Justice and the Netherlands aimed at strengthening professional standards within the correctional system.
The training took place from October 12 to October 21, 2026, at The Triangle Curaçao and was conducted by the Training Institute of the Dutch Custodial Institutions Agency (ODJI).
According to the Ministry of Justice, the program was made possible through close cooperation between the ministry and the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK).
The training addressed several important aspects of detention and immigration law, providing SDKK personnel with practical knowledge and guidance to support their daily responsibilities.
Participants received instruction on detention procedures, the legal rules governing the treatment of detainees and undocumented individuals, and the responsibilities and authority of correctional officers.
Special attention was also given to professional conduct when dealing with aggressive behavior, the appropriate exercise of authority, and maintaining security within a correctional environment.
The program was designed to strengthen employees' understanding of their legal obligations while improving their ability to respond professionally to challenging situations.
The sessions were conducted by T. Blanken, a professional trainer from ODJI in the Netherlands.
During her visit, Blanken also met with SDKK Acting Director Anthony Hasselmeijer. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on several matters of mutual interest concerning correctional training and institutional cooperation.
As a gesture of appreciation, SDKK presented Blanken with a gift in recognition of her contribution to the training program.
Both SDKK and the Ministry of Justice expressed satisfaction with the cooperation and the training provided to correctional personnel.
According to the ministry, the knowledge acquired during the sessions is expected to contribute to the daily work of employees responsible for supervising and interacting with detainees and undocumented individuals.
The training initiative will continue in the coming weeks, with additional sessions focusing on “Motivational Approaches to Detainee Interaction” (Motiverende Bejegening).
This next phase will address professional communication and interaction techniques aimed at improving how correctional personnel engage with individuals in detention.
The Ministry of Justice emphasized the importance of continued professional development within SDKK, particularly in areas involving legal responsibilities, institutional security, and the treatment of people held in custody.