Extra punishment for repeat offenders: Justice Sec.

State Secretary of Justice Fred Teeven wants to impose a special punishment to repeat offenders more often. This ISD measure gives repeat offenders a longer prison sentence and more intensive guidance. According to Teeven this measure is a success. People who have committed more than 10 crimes are eligible for the punishment. "These are people who are often addicted. They constantly commit shoplifting, burglary and car theft," said Teeven. Those who get the ISD measure can be detained for two years and receive intense treatment. According to Teeven they are not only imprisoned, but they receive treatment for their addictions. Research by the WODC shows that people who received the ISD measure relapsed 74 percent of the time. With comparable criminals who received only a normal prison sentence, 85 percent relapsed. Yet few people have this punishment imposed. In 2011 only 270 offenders had the ISD measure imposed, in 2013 there were only 197. According to researchers, this is because many agencies do not know enough about the measure. For this reason Teeven is starting a round of education, to ensure that judges and prosecutors learn more about the ISD measure.