As if we did not know this already. I was going through the Amigoe newspaper and came across this article which I thought I'd share with everyone.

Shortage of cells big problem in Bonaire.

BONAIRE – According to the annual report published by district attorney Ernst Wesselius, the shortage of cells in Bonaire is one of the biggest problems the island is currently coping with. It causes many detainees to be released too soon. The renovations of the cells would take another year.

The Dutch Justice-minister Piet Hein Donner (CDA) indicated during his visit to Bonaire last week that it is very urgent to complete the cells within a few months. If it comes to the worse, we need to bypass the official procedures. Like mentioned earlier, the criminality in Bonaire has increased with as much as 30 percent during 2004. Compared with the year 2000, this means a three times increase of the crime figures. After a sharp increase in 2002 that was connected with the expansion of the KLM flights in Bonaire, the drug related crimes showed a dropping line for the first time since the year 2000. According to the prosecution, the decrease is due to the fact that since July 15th, the passports of the drug couriers are being confiscated for a period of two years.

As we can see, all those conveniences of regular flights from Europe and increased business, which after all is good for the economy, comes at a price. And you and I are paying for it.

Hi John

Sounds like an opportunity to bring that 'prison ship' back <wink> !!!!

Cindy