Majority set to pass more use of ankle bracelets instead of short prison sentences
A parliamentary majority is ready to support a bill by the D66 and CDA to allow judges to sentence people to house arrest with an ankle monitor for minor offenses. According to MPs Joost Sneller (D66) and Jeltje Straatman (CDA), this will help solve the cell shortage without having to release people earlier, RTL Nieuws reports.
Only convicts sentenced to a prison term of 6 months or less will be eligible for an ankle monitor instead of imprisonment. According to Sneller, this will free up approximately 400 cells per year.
“With this law, judges can impose smarter sentences and impose electronic detention instead of a short prison sentence. That also frees up more space in prison for all criminals who belong there but are currently walking around freely because no cells are available,” the D66 MP told the broadcaster.
The bill will also give judges the option of imposing longer community service sentences than is currently the case. According to Straatman, this gives judges more room to customize an appropriate sentence that is effective and quick to execute. "That is why our law contributes to a just and safe Netherlands," the CDA MP said.
"Electronic detention and longer community service sentences can contribute to short prison sentences—which place a significant strain on the prison system—being imposed less frequently. It also reduces the risk of recidivism and new victims, and alleviates pressure on the prison system. It cuts both ways," Sneller told the broadcaster.
PRO, SP, PvdD, Volt, 50Plus, and ChristenUnie support this plan, giving it a parliamentary majority. Though ChristenUnie and 50Plus both stipulated that this must not stop the construction of more cells. "This law is a painful emergency measure, prompted by the shortage of prisons. I support it because I would rather see a punishment than no punishment. At the same time, we must continue working on expanding the number of cells,” said 50Plus MP Jan Struijs.
The right-wing JA21 and Groep Markuszower parties don’t support the plan. “Punishment must feel like punishment. Sitting at home with an ankle monitor doesn’t feel like punishment, but like a vacation,” JA21 leader Joost Eerdmans told RTL.
