How to tackle overcrowded prisons in the Netherlands?
In the media image: Monika Lemeshonok on Unsplash+
Dutch prisons are full. To tackle the problems, regulations are relaxed and sentences reduced. Miranda Boone, Professor of Criminology, discussed the challenges with 'EenVandaag' and argues that finding solutions is a shared responsibility.
The Netherlands has been facing a significant shortage of prison cells and prison staff for some years. The shortage of cells is partly due to prison renovations and closures. ‘Back in 2013, a number of prisons were closed,’ explains Miranda Boone. ‘At the time, there was actually a substantial surplus of prison capacity and budget cuts were needed. Keeping those facilities open was simply too expensive at the time.’ However, a stronger focus on serious offences in criminal investigation and prosecution has led to the need for more prison cells. ‘This is not just about the number of people entering the prison system,’ she says, ‘but also about how long they remain there.’
In addition to the shortage of prison cells, prisons are also facing staff shortages which is not helping the situation on the work floor. ‘The job market is already tight, but working in a prison is also particularly demanding,’ explains Boone. ‘When there are not enough staff, more safety incidents occur. This, in turn, leads to high levels of sick leave, which are already above average compared with other employment sectors.’
The professor argues that tackling these problems is a shared responsibility of the police, the Public Prosecution Service, the judiciary and the prison service. In her view, it requires careful choices about which offences are prosecuted and how resources are deployed. ‘If you decide to prosecute more serious offences but fail to provide additional prison capacity for those sentences to be served, that’s asking for trouble.’ Boone says that solutions begin with better cooperation: ‘It’s essential that we analyse as accurately as possible how changes in one part of the system affect the other parts.’