KIA Staff Continue Responsibilities in Unsafe Environment : At midday on Thursday, Minister of Justice, Mr. Drs. Arthur Dowers, visited the Aruba Correctional Institute (KIA) to meet with prison guards and hear their concerns directly.
According to the prison guards, for several years they have felt neglected by the government, even though they perform an essential and dangerous role in the justice system. During the meeting, the employees openly expressed their concerns, after which they took the Minister on a tour of various areas within KIA.
During the visit, Minister Dowers observed the deteriorating condition of the correctional facility. The current state directly affects the safety of both the staff working there and the prisoners incarcerated at KIA. The situation is alarming, and the Minister has taken notice of these issues.
Given the deplorable condition of KIA, the Minister of Justice is actively exploring the possibility of building a completely new, modern, and structurally sound correctional facility that complies with international human rights standards and safety regulations. However, a project of this magnitude will require time and careful planning and will take several years to complete.
In the meantime, the reality is that the staff at KIA must continue fulfilling their responsibilities in an unsafe environment. Minister Dowers has committed to reviewing all the feedback presented at both the professional and institutional levels and identifying sustainable solutions to reduce safety pressures and strengthen the system.
