NCJ Number
53954
Date Published
1974
Length
68 pages
Annotation
THIS 1973 DUTCH STUDY INVESTIGATES THE IMMEDIATE EFFECTS OF PREVENTIVE CUSTODY AND MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INSTITUTIONAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Abstract
A SAMPLE OF 175 DETAINEES WAS ASKED TO COMPLETE A QUESTIONNAIRE CONCERNING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THEIR IMPRISONMENT. MANY OF THE PRISONERS (70 PERCENT) COMPLAINED ABOUT INSUFFICIENT OR INCORRECT INFORMATION ABOUT THE REASONS FOR THEIR DETENTION, AND 35 PERCENT CLAIMED THAT MENTAL OR PHYSICAL INTIMIDATION WERE USED DURING QUESTIONING. ANOTHER 81 PERCENT FELT THAT THEY HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED AT ALL, OR INSUFFICIENTLY, ABOUT THE JUDICIAL PROCESS AND DID NOT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JUDGE AND PROSECUTOR. HALF OF THE PRISONERS EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THEIR LAWYERS, WHO WERE OFTEN ABSENT DURING QUESTIONING. DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY VARIOUS DETENTION HALLS WERE MANAGED HAD AN EFFECT ON THE WAY PRISONERS EXPERIENCED THEIR DETENTION. MORE UNITY IN POLICYMAKING AMONG DETENTION HALLS WAS SUGGESTED, ALONG WITH BETTER JOB PROGRAMS, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, AND INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES TO RECEIVED VISITORS. FOOTNOTES AND TABLES SUPPLEMENT THE TEXT. --IN DUTCH. (WVK)