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The United Nations and the Government of Aruba unite to strengthen the country's justice sector

29 November 2024

UNOPS will provide technical assistance for the implementation of a correctional facility, ensuring humane detention and supporting reintegration into society.

The agreement seeks to develop a technical report to support the implementation of a sustainable and effective correctional facility, designed to ensure humane detention and support the reintegration of the prison population into society.
The four-month project is backed by a budget of USD $191,237.

The Government of Aruba and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have signed an agreement to strengthen the country's justice sector. Through this partnership, UNOPS will provide technical assistance to support the penitentiary administration of the Correctional Institute Aruba (KIA) in designing a resilient, sustainable, and effective correctional facility. This initiative aims to enhance the national correctional system by ensuring adequate, safe, and humane detention while fostering the reintegration of the prison population into society.

The project, with a budget of USD $191,237, will be implemented over approximately four months. Its benefits will extend nationwide, contributing to the reinforced application of the Rule of Law and positively impacting the entire population.

“Thanks to this firm step, after many years, Aruba will get a business case for a new prison. Aruba, as a country, is committed to complying with all aspects of international laws and norms, which is why we are proud to collaborate with such a prestigious partner like UNOPS, who has successfully implemented over 1,000 similar projects. For this reason, we are certain that Aruba will then have a solid foundation to further achieve our final goal,” confirms Mr. Rocco G. Tjon, Minister of Justice and Social Affairs.

Project Goals

The project is centered on four specific objectives. First, it will conduct a comprehensive gap analysis of the KIA to provide a consolidated understanding of its existing conditions. Additionally, it will develop a high-level profile of the envisioned correctional facility to address the country's correctional needs effectively.

Furthermore, the project will design a high-level functional configuration for the new facility, ensuring it aligns with Aruba's correctional requirements. Lastly, it will establish a business case for the facility’s development, enabling the Ministry of Justice to achieve its goal of providing adequate, safe, and humane detention while supporting the successful reintegration of the prison population into society.

“UNOPS will bring to the project its extensive experience due to the background of approximately 1,000 projects per year on behalf of its partners. Our role will be guided by the principles of a Fair and Equitable Public Management approach, which in practice means that we work towards efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and transparency in all projects while supporting governments to address the triple climate crisis and ensure resilient infrastructure,” assures Giuseppe Mancinelli, Deputy Regional Director for UNOPS in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Inclusion Management

The project will adopt an inclusive management approach to ensure equitable participation of all individuals, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, abilities, or other factors. This approach prioritizes fair decision-making, respect for human rights, and equal opportunities, while also promoting the sustainable use of natural resources and the long-term social and economic well-being of those involved.

Concrete actions will be implemented to embed a human rights perspective throughout the project, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups such as minors, women, migrants, and members of the LGBTIQ+ community. These efforts will address the unique needs and challenges these groups face, both during their detention and in their reintegration into society. Additionally, it will integrate cultural and family considerations into the daily operations of the correctional facility, safeguarding the rights of inmates to maintain their cultural and family connections. Active participation from both prison staff and inmates will be encouraged, ensuring that those most impacted by the project have a voice in its development and execution.

UNOPS' role will be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative primarily supports SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Additionally, the project aligns with and contributes to the broader objectives of SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 17, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable and inclusive development.