Speakers
Parallel Workshops
Despite the international trend of rising prison populations around the world, the Netherlands has for a long time been known for having a relatively stable number of prisoners. In recent years, however, the Netherlands has also experienced a rise in prison population. This rise came at a time when prisons that had been unoccupied for years, were closed down. In addition, organised crime increased, resulting in an increase in longer sentences. Moreover, the increase in the prison population and the search to solve capacity shortages is complicated by challenges to recruit sufficient staff. To combat the these challenges, the Dutch prison service is exploring ways to reshape the prison landscape. Sollutions are sought in exploring efficient ways to expand prison capacity (build new prisons or repurpose existing locations), but also by creating new regimes that promote prisoner autonomy and incorporate digital innovation. In this presentation, we would like to share insights gained in this rearch for managing growth in the prison population. In addition to the presentation, we would like to openly invite participants to share experiences and discuss possibly unexplored solutions.