Serial hostage-taker Corné H. to remain on waiting list for psychiatric care

The state does not have to give Corné H., who was convicted of hostage-taking in Ede in 2024 and recently held prison staff hostage in Vught, priority for a place in a psychiatric TBS clinic, the court ruled on Friday. H. remains on the waiting list. H. has been on the waiting list for a clinic for more than a year, during which he was involved in multiple violent incidents. He has harmed himself and, took several prison staff hostage in Vught in December.

Earlier reports indicated that H. suffers from autism and PTSD and experiences auditory hallucinations. His lawyers, who had warned of a “similar incident” prior to the Vught hostage situation, describe him as highly unpredictable.

H. held four employees hostage in a café in Ede, armed with knives, and falsely claimed to possess explosives. He demanded money and safe passage before finally surrendering. The incident resulted in his conviction and the imposition of TBS with compulsory psychiatric treatment.

On December 5, 2025, at Vught prison, H. took two staff members hostage for several hours using an improvised stabbing weapon. His lawyers cited the incident as clear proof that he cannot be safely held in a standard prison environment.

During the summary proceedings, his lawyers described him as a “ticking time bomb,” arguing that his current detention at the Penitentiary Psychiatric Center (PPC) in Vught fails to provide adequate care for his complex mental health issues.

At a hearing two weeks ago, it was revealed that 273 people are awaiting placement in a TBS clinic. The judge described the TBS system as “completely gridlocked.” While the state is working on solutions, the judge noted that it is unlikely this will quickly free up spots. Since the state is falling short for all those on the waiting list, the judge ruled that Corné H. cannot be given priority.

In the Netherlands, TBS (forensic psychiatric) measures are applied to people who commit serious crimes but are deemed partially responsible due to mental health conditions. These measures aim to provide treatment while protecting society. Limited capacity in TBS clinics has long caused waiting lists and created strain on both prisons and treatment facilities.

Waiting times for specialized psychiatric care are not limited to TBS alone. Across the healthcare system, many people experience long delays in receiving suitable treatment for mental health and psychiatric issues, a situation that patient organizations and healthcare providers view as a serious concern.