Three prisons begin trial of new regime for low-risk prisoners
The Custodial Institutions Agency is examining whether staff can be deployed more sparingly without reducing safety.
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Three Dutch prisons have begun a trial in which prisoners deemed to pose a limited risk are placed under a new regime. The Custodial Institutions Agency is to assess whether fewer custodial officers are subsequently needed on wings housing this group.
The trial is taking place in Veenhuizen, Ter Apel and Middelburg. Participants are subject to the Regime for Prisoners with a Limited Risk, part of the Room for Justice action plan. DJI says the aim is to deploy staff more efficiently, but also stresses that safety and practicality must first be measured.
The first elements of the new detention concept began in October and November. Only after a stable start will a trial with fewer staff on the wing be conducted. Among other things, DJI will examine the number of incidents and the sense of safety among staff and prisoners.
The trial comes against a backdrop of staff shortages and capacity problems in the prison system. DJI previously reported that, alongside a shortage of employees, pressure is also being caused by limited building capacity, a more complex prisoner population and problems with prisoner progression.
Less supervision does not mean that the prisoners concerned will be left without rules or checks. It concerns a different way of organising care for people who, according to the selection criteria, pose a lower security risk. The precise criteria being applied and how many fewer staff will ultimately be needed are not yet known.
The evaluation may provide insight into the scope for using the regime in more locations. Fewer staff needed per wing could ease the staff shortage. DJI is measuring incidents and the sense of safety, among other things; the outcome and when it will become available remain unclear.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- DJI is testing a regime for prisoners deemed to pose a limited risk.
- The trial is taking place in three prisons.
- Fewer staff will be tested only after a stable start, and will be evaluated on the basis of incidents and the sense of safety.
Left
Arguments A staff shortage should not be solved by reducing supervision; investing in sufficient staff protects both society and prison personnel.
Values Public safety, good working conditions and humane detention.
Consequences Caution prevents incidents, but without an alternative approach the capacity crisis may continue.
Centre
Arguments A controlled trial is defensible if clear safety standards are set in advance and an independent evaluation follows.
Values Proportionality, evidence and practicality.
Consequences The approach may free up staff, but only if measurable safety results remain satisfactory.
Right
Arguments Prisoners demonstrably posing a low risk can be supervised with fewer staff, keeping scarce employees available for serious cases.
Values Efficiency, order and protection of society.
Consequences A targeted approach can increase capacity, but mistakes in selection could have serious consequences.
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 trial, the three locations and the evaluation criteria are stated in the DJI announcement. Results have not been presented as established facts.
Editor's note
The start of the trial and the locations involved were reported directly by DJI. There are not yet any results concerning safety or staff savings.Sources
- Drie gevangenissen starten als eerste met nieuw detentieconcept uit Actieplan Ruimte voor Recht — Dienst Justitiële Inrichtingen
- Stand van de Uitvoering: anders werken noodzakelijk — Dienst Justitiële Inrichtingen
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „gevangenissen dji”
- RTL Nieuws — „gevangenissen dji”
- NOS — „gevangenissen dji”