WILLEMSTAD - The ABVO union that represents the prison guards calls the situation in the Curaçao prison SDKK "alarming and dangerous." Last week Venezuelan prisoners revolted in which a security guard even had to release warning shots.
What struck both the trade union and the Minister of Justice Quincy Girigorie was the violence used and that the uprising was well organized. There are 67 Venezuelans in prison, many of whom have a military background, according to the personnel union. But while the minister puts the recent violence in a general context: "prisons around the world are dangerous places to work," the union is still sounding the alarm.
What happened?
The revolt was prompted by a conflict between Venezuelan and local prisoners. After an earlier assault on a Venezuelan, the group organized to get to the cells of the Curaçaoans. And set fire to a mattress to force them out of their cells. That ultimately did not work.
Justice minister Girigorie says that measures have been taken to keep "gangs" separated in prison. He acknowledges that this is a problem but does not think that the situation is so bad that staff cannot work there. However, the union wants to meet with the minister.
Staff shortage
They represent 84% of the staff, says union manager Kenneth Bremer. Since 2014, around 70 guards have left without a replacement. “We then had around 300 to 320 detainees. Now you are talking about 500.”
But the minister says that there were enough staff present during the uprising last week. “It is relatively normal that there is some violence in prisons. But this was an exception because of the way it was organized and coordinated,” he admits.