Cabinet considering releasing prisoners two weeks early to free up space
The Dutch government is working on a plan to release convicted prisoners up to two weeks early due to a shortage of prison cells and staff. This is according to a draft document from the Ministry of Justice and Security, obtained by NOS.
State Secretary Ingrid Coenradie (Justice and Security, PVV) stated in the document that the situation in Dutch prisons is critical. "I am backed into a corner and must make very difficult choices," she wrote. Without additional measures, some suspects and convicts might have to be released.
Currently, prisoners can be released three days early as part of the 'final leave' policy. The government wants to extend this period to a maximum of fourteen days. The measure will apply to prisoners who are not convicted of sex crimes, serious violent offenses, or sentences longer than one year.
Since changing the regulations for this expansion will take time, Coenradie wants to introduce a temporary one-week sentence reduction in the meantime. She is also exploring the possibility of placing more prisoners in shared cells to free up space.
The plan faces resistance within the coalition. PVV leader Geert Wilders wrote on X that his party will "no way" approve the proposal and instead supports housing more inmates in shared cells. The ruling VVD party also opposes the measure and shares the PVV’s stance.
Joost Eerdmans (JA21) called the plan a "disgrace." "Nothing remains of the government’s promise to impose stricter sentences. In the past, you couldn’t get out of prison; now you can’t even get in," Eerdmans said. He pointed to the closure of nearly thirty prisons under previous VVD governments as the cause of the current crisis.
The government has declared a 'black code' emergency in the prison system since late last year. The Ministry of Justice and Security is working on increasing prison capacity, but short-term solutions are not available. Coenradie stated that a temporary sentence reduction is the only viable option to prevent arbitrary releases from police holding cells. Alternative measures, such as reducing arrests, are not acceptable, she said. The plan still needs approval from the Council of Ministers.
