CLIMB Foundation to Cease Prison Education Efforts
The CLIMB Foundation (Creative Leadership and Innovation Management Bureau) has announced its decision to conclude its Prison Education Program (PEP) in Sint Maarten, effective December 1, 2025. The foundation attributes this decision to an 'irreconcilable difference in vision' with the Ministry of Justice regarding the nature and scope of effective prison education.
Program's History and Achievements
The CLIMB Foundation initiated its prison education efforts in 2021 under an agreement with the Ministry of Justice. The program, known as the PEP, aimed to provide inclusive education addressing the diverse learning needs of inmates at the Point Blanche Prison and the Miss Lalie Center. Its curriculum focused on personalized instruction, literacy development, and preparation for the General Educational Development (GED) exams. The pilot phase successfully concluded on December 17, 2022, at the Point Blanche Prison. According to CLIMB directors Dr. Yadira Boston and Dr. Delroy Pierre, four inmates progressed sufficiently to sit the official GED exams, with two successfully earning their diplomas.
The Core of the Dispute
The fundamental disagreement stems from the Ministry's 2023 tendering process for prison education. Dr. Boston stated that this tender focused 'solely on the GED program' and demonstrated a 'lack of understanding of the GED system and of what true educational rehabilitation requires.' CLIMB advocates for a more holistic approach, emphasizing that 'true prison education cannot begin and end with the GED – it must address literacy, life skills, and rehabilitation.' Dr. Pierre further highlighted the importance of addressing inmates' social and emotional development, including learning disabilities and behavioral challenges, as central to rehabilitation. The foundation also noted that it was not consulted or informed about the new prison facility in Point Blanche. CLIMB presented its findings and concerns to Members of Parliament on November 7, 2025.
Ministry's Broader Vision for Justice Reform
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice, under Minister Nathalie Tackling, has outlined a comprehensive vision for reforming the prison system in Sint Maarten. This includes the launch of the Detention Sector Reform Program (DSRP) and a four-year initiative called ADVANCE-SXM, which began on August 1, 2025, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The Ministry's broader prison education program is described as encompassing more than just exam preparation, with initial assessments often revealing inmates at pre-K or kindergarten literacy levels, necessitating tailor-made education. Future plans include introducing a variety of vocational classes, such as woodworking and mechanics, as well as entrepreneurship courses, to equip inmates with practical skills for reintegration. A new, modern Point Blanche Prison facility is also under construction, expected to be operational by 2028, designed to include dedicated spaces for education, vocational training, and other rehabilitation services.
5 Comments
ZmeeLove
Vocational training and UNODC involvement? Sounds like a major upgrade, not a downgrade.
Muchacho
The Ministry is addressing fundamental literacy. That's a crucial first step CLIMB seems to overlook.
Karamba
Why quit? They could have contributed to the Ministry's wider reform efforts.
Coccinella
While CLIMB rightly points out the need for life skills beyond GED, the Ministry's recognition of pre-K literacy levels among inmates highlights a foundational issue that also needs significant attention.
Bella Ciao
CLIMB's emphasis on holistic education is commendable, but the Ministry's plans for vocational training and addressing low literacy also seem essential for successful reintegration.