Investigation launched into suspicious death at psychiatric institute

The Judicial Institutions Agency (DJI) is investigating the suspicious death of a patient at the Oostvaarderskliniek, a forensic psychiatric institution that treats people sentenced to mandatory treatment. The patient died today. “It concerns an unnatural death with suspicion of substance use,” The DJI said.

The agency provided little further detail. The clinic’s general manager, Elles Tillema-van Loo, said that they were shocked by the patient’s sudden death. “Every day, our employees work with these patients on their recovery. You can imagine that an event like this has a major impact on everyone involved.”

“Our care and compassion goes out to the relatives,” Tillema-van Loo said. The institute reported the death to the Justice and Security Inspectorate and the Healthcare and Youth Inspectorate.

This is the second suspicious death of a patient at the Oostvaarderskliniek in less than two months. On May 1, there was another “unnatural death with suspicion of substance use” at the clinic.

The Oostvaarderskliniek has three separate purposes. In addition to treating patients ordered by a court to receive mandatory treatment in a TBS facility, the Oostvaarderskliniek also treats adults suffering from addiction, mental illness, and psychological issues who have had contact with law enforcement.

The institution also has an outpatient service for psychiatric patients who are not housed at the facility. These patients generally live in the Flevoland region.