DJI chief wants more low-security prison regimes
Wim Saris says the government’s plan to tackle the cell shortage is inadequate and wants more units where prisoners work daily.
The government’s plan to reduce the shortage of prison cells does not go far enough, according to DJI director-general Wim Saris. He wants more custodial institutions with a lighter regime and is also open to electronic tagging as an alternative to short prison sentences.
Saris says in an interview that the number of units should be expanded where prisoners go to work every day. According to ANP reporting, there are currently nine such units. This is a lighter form of detention for people whom DJI considers to pose less risk and to be able to function more independently.
The senior civil servant links his proposal to the pressure on both cells and staff. In his view, people serving short prison sentences sometimes lose their job or home while being placed in an environment with a high level of security. Saris says this is not always appropriate and that the current system in some cases means sentences cannot be carried out on time.
Saris also does not rule out electronic tagging as an alternative to a prison sentence. He acknowledges that such a measure is sensitive, because punishment also has a retributive purpose. His argument is that the prison system sometimes now has to choose between not summoning people to serve their sentence or releasing them early. In his view, that too can conflict with the interests of victims.
In June, the government presented an action plan for the prison system. It includes, among other things, the reopening of the prison in Almere, eventually providing 320 additional cells, phased detention and new austere regimes. The plan combines increased capacity with a different deployment of staff and greater attention to reintegration.
DJI describes work as the most important part of the daily programme. Prisoners work an average of about twenty hours a week, according to the agency. Work is intended to provide income, work experience and a fixed daily routine. DJI links this to better prospects in the labour market and a lower chance of reoffending, but presents that relationship as a policy aim, not a guarantee for every prisoner.
The discussion therefore concerns more than the number of cells available. A lighter regime can free up staff and prepare prisoners for their return, but requires reliable selection of those eligible. Supervision, victims’ interests and safety outside the institution must also be taken into account.
It is not yet clear whether the government will adopt Saris’s proposal or how many additional units would be involved. Nor is it known how much capacity an expansion would provide. What is clear is that the government regards the pressure on the prison system as structural and that the action plan deploys several measures at the same time.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- DJI director-general Wim Saris wants more low-security prison regimes and does not rule out electronic tagging as an alternative to short prison sentences.
- According to ANP, there are currently nine units where prisoners go to work every day.
- The government wants to create additional capacity through an action plan, including by reopening the prison in Almere.
- DJI links work and reintegration to work experience, daily structure and a return to society.
Left
Arguments Detention policy should not merely carry out sentences, but also prevent people from reoffending after their release. From this perspective, lighter regimes, work and guidance can be more humane and effective, provided supervision and social support are in place.
Values Reintegration, human dignity and limiting social harm.
Consequences A more selective regime could better protect jobs and homes and reduce reoffending; without sufficient guidance, the risk could instead be shifted to municipalities and support services.
Centre
Arguments The institutional question is which combination of security, capacity and reintegration works for each group. A lighter regime may be sensible for low-risk groups, but requires verifiable criteria, supervision and evaluation before being introduced widely.
Values Feasibility, proportionality and administrative reliability.
Consequences A differentiated system could deploy staff more effectively, but would be vulnerable if selection criteria were unclear or supervision capacity were lacking.
Right
Arguments An imposed sentence must actually be carried out in a clear and recognisable way. From this perspective, alternatives such as electronic tagging should apply only to people whose security risk is demonstrably low; victims must not feel that capacity shortages determine the sentence.
Values Retribution, public order and responsibility towards victims.
Consequences Stricter enforcement could strengthen confidence in the rule of law, but more prison sentences and heavier regimes would increase pressure on staff and capacity.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The factual claims can be traced to ANP, DJI and the national government. Where expectations or possible effects are concerned, they have been phrased as objectives or uncertainties.
- confirmed Wim Saris is calling for more prisons with a lighter regime. — Reported by ANP via Zeelandnet. source
- confirmed According to ANP, there are nine units where prisoners go to work every day. — The figure was mentioned in the ANP report. source
- confirmed Saris is open to electronic tagging as an alternative to a prison sentence. — Reported by ANP. source
- confirmed The reopening of the prison in Almere is intended to provide 320 additional cells in the longer term. — Mentioned in the national government’s action plan. source
- confirmed Prisoners work an average of about twenty hours a week. — Mentioned by DJI on its page about daily activities. source
- confirmed It is not yet known how much additional capacity an expansion of low-security regimes would provide. — Not mentioned in the public sources consulted. source
Editor's note
The proposal, the figure of nine units and the possibility of electronic tagging come from ANP reporting. The broader context concerning capacity and reintegration was checked with DJI and the national government; the concrete effects of an expansion are not yet known.Sources
- DJI-topman pleit voor meer gevangenissen met lichter regime — ANP via Zeelandnet
- Meer capaciteit maar vooral: anders werken. Actieplan DJI naar Tweede Kamer — Dienst Justitiële Inrichtingen
- Kabinet pakt druk op gevangenissen aan — Rijksoverheid
- Dagbesteding — Dienst Justitiële Inrichtingen
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „gevangenissen dji”
- RTL Nieuws — „gevangenissen dji”
- NOS — „gevangenissen dji”