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Netherlands to close prisons for lack of criminals
The Dutch justice ministry has announced it will close eight prisons and cut 1,200 jobs in the prison system. A decline in crime has left many cells empty.
During the 1990s the Netherlands faced a shortage of prison cells, but a decline in crime has since led to overcapacity in the prison system. The country now has capacity for 14,000 prisoners but only 12,000 detainees.
Deputy Justice Minister Nebahat Albayrak announced on Tuesday that eight prisons will be closed, resulting in the loss of 1,200 jobs. Natural redundancy and other measures should prevent any forced lay-offs, the minister said.
The overcapacity is a result of the declining crime rate, which the ministry's research department expects to continue for some time.
Belgian prisoners
Some reprieve might come from a deal with Belgium, which is facing overpopulation in its prisons. The two countries are working out an agreement to house Belgian prisoners in Dutch prisons. Some 500 Belgian prisoners could be transferred to the Tilburg prison by 2010.
The Netherlands would get 30 million euros in the deal, and it will allow the closing of the prisons in Rotterdam and Veenhuizen to be postponed until 2012.
Published by RNW in partnership with NRC Handelsblad
Tags:
Justice Ministry,
Nebahat Albayrak,
prisons
jasmin,
25-05-2009
- India
Rather it shows good governance and effective policing! It reminds me of an incident of the early seventies,which my father-in-law narrated to us. He was a SHO-station house officer in a village in Punjab that was notorious for criminal activities. The ineffective SHO was transferred and my father-in-law was posted there as he was a very strict and honest officer. He immediately put the house in order by pulling up the constables and summoned the known dubious elements of the area and warned them sternly of third degree methods of interrogation and strict policing...The step had the desired result and the crime rate fell drastically..By the year end he sent the report of nil crime in the area to the state headquarters. He expected a pat on the back for his work but surprisingly what he got was a letter stating that he was not working honestly as he had been ineffective in nabbing the criminals as the annual report showed no crime or arrests or the region was too peaceful and crimeless! He was given a stern warning that he would be transferred and the police station would be closed for lack crime if he did not show his progress report of crime...!!!!
Bob,
21-05-2009
- Netherlands
A decline in crime? Good one. Failure of the Department of Justice to put criminals behind bars is more likely.
Joe Plumber,
21-05-2009
- USA
Wow, compare that to the "good ol USA" where the prison system is a growth industry! About the only one left...
Rabbit,
21-05-2009
- NL
First of all I am surprise we, the NL, do not have enough criminals to fill the jails! Surprise, surprise. Is she that sure???
Secondly, why close the jails, why not go around Europe and recruit more prisoners such as those from Belgium? WHAT a silly and dangerous idea this woman is playing around with.
Liborio,
20-05-2009
- Cuba
Mayo 20, 2009
The Dutch justice ministry has announced it will close eight prisons and cut 1,200 jobs in the prison system. A decline in crime has left many cells empty.
We Cubans. whant the Minister give the recipe to the Cuba's Government.
