September 19, 2025
A measure to relieve pressure on prison capacity by releasing some prisoners two weeks before their sentence has been completed is not working and may have to be extended, sources have told broadcaster NOS.
The measure started as a temporary stopgap but has now become standard practice for prisoners with sentences shorter than one year.
However, according to an internal DJI prison services document seen by NOS, overcrowding is still a problem. Sources close to the prison services said that means prisoners may have to be released even earlier. If not, there will be no room for people who have been arrested for a crime and need to be incarcerated immediately.
The prisons are also short-staffed, and another 100 places at police stations and prisons are set to disappear because of building work.
The cabinet set aside an initial €25 million to mitigate the problems in this year’s budget, increased to €50 million from 2031 but former prisons minister Ingrid Coenradie had said €400 million was needed to create more places and carry out renovations.
“This coalition is all about stricter sentences but I don’t see how that will happen on a budget of zero,” she said at the time of the spring budget, when it was clear no significant sum would be forthcoming.
The justice ministry would not comment on the DJI document ahead of a parliamentary debate on the subject next week. Caretaker junior justice minister Arno Rutte is due to update MPs on the situation.
Budget Prisons
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