Inhumane conditions looming in Dutch prisons
image: Levi Meir Clancy via Unsplash+
Miranda Boone, Professor of Criminology and Comparative Penology, says inhumane conditions may arise if prisoners cannot be released two weeks early. In an op-ed in ‘Trouw’ she argues: ‘Once the limit in overcrowded prisons is crossed, there’s no turning back.’
There is a ‘code black’ situation in Dutch prisons due to shortages of cells and staff. State Secretary Ingrid Coenradie (PVV) has proposed releasing prisoners two weeks early in exceptional cases in an attempt to get the situation under control. However, a vote in the House of Representatives was inconclusive with an equal number of MPs voting for and against.
According to Professor Boone, ‘two evils’ must be weighed against each other: ‘If, in extreme cases, prisoners cannot be released earlier, the safety of prison staff will be jeopardised, as well as being able to execute the prison sentence in a humane manner. Besides, convicted persons are often already able to serve the final part of their sentence in freedom’, the professor argues. 'Imprisonment should not become some form of physical punishment and working in prisons must not become even less attractive. Once the limit in overcrowded prisons is crossed, there’s no turning back.'