Prisons full, detainees sent home somewhat earlier
The prison system is heading for a code black situation this week. This means that all prisons and police stations are running out of space to place new arrestees or detainees. This makes it unavoidable to send inmates 3 days before the end of their sentence.
Ingrid Coenradie, State Secretary for Justice and Security: “I am really sick of this, but it is the only way to keep placing arrested persons and offenders. And that most important as far as I am concerned. If you commit or are suspected of committing a crime, you will be arrested and detained. This is crucial for our rule of law.
I have made every effort to prevent the prisons from becoming overcrowded. And to find additional capacity and come up with other solutions. This has partly succeeded, but my toolbox is now empty. I simply have no other choice.”
3 days and longer
For the time being, detainees are allowed to leave prison 3 days early. This measure creates room for new detainees. Everyone is eligible for early release, except detainees with a sentence of up to 7 days and detainees who received a hospital order following their term of imprisonment. This measure is temporary and used for the shortest possible period for the smallest number of detainees as possible.
It is unavoidable that the number of days detainees are allowed to leave earlier will increase in the near future. This will require an amendment to the Temporary Release from Institutions Decree (Rtvi).
Additional cell capacity needed for harsher punishments
The fact that cells are full is caused by longer sentences and an increase in the number of people who have received a hospital order and young adults in the prison system. The shortage is even larger due to scheduled, necessary renovations.
The government wants harsher punishments. Additional cell capacity is needed to do so. Therefore, options are being explored to place emergency units on existing prison complexes, reopen closed prisons and rent cells in Estonia.
Originally published at https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2024/12/04/prisons-full-detainees-sent-home-somewhat-earlier
