NCJ Number
90351
Date Published
1983
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This study focuses on prison policy in the Netherlands since 1945, the effectiveness of the resocialization policy, recent developments in prison policy goals, and the short-term effects of imprisonment.
Abstract
Since the end of World War II, the rehabilitation of inmates has been the prominent objective of imprisonment; however, along with the treatment oriented prisons, there are still the more custodially oriented prisons. Currently, there is a differentiated system of penitentiaries in the Netherlands, with the following criteria affecting placement: inmate status (awaiting trial or convicted), age, length of sentence, the openness of the institution, and the treatment or custodial orientation. Research studies measuring the effectiveness of the resocialization policy found, as have similar English and American studies, that treatment oriented institutions do not have a more resocializing effect (as measured by recidivism) than custodially oriented institutions. In some studies, slight difference have been found for certain subgroups of inmates, with those from treatment oriented institutions having a more favorable resocialization effect. Given the discouraging findings of these studies, recent developments in prison policy goals have emphasized preparing the inmate to return to society, implementing a humane prison sentence, and providing maximum prevention of the ill effects of detention. From inmates' perspectives, the treatment oriented institutions have been more successful in achieving these goals than have the custodially oriented institutions. The prison subculture has been found to have an impact on the prevention of ill effects from prison. Research needs to focus on how the prison administration determines the type and effects of various prison subcultures. Thirty-six references are provided.