The PIJ measure, or Placement in a Youth Facility, is a drastic measure within the Dutch juvenile justice system. This measure is imposed on young people who have committed serious crimes and where there are behavioral problems and a high risk of repetition. In this article, we explain what the PIJ measure entails, how it works and in what situations it can be imposed.
What is the PIJ Measure?
The PIJ measure is designed for juveniles who have committed serious criminal offenses. The measure focuses not only on punishment, but mainly on treatment and reintegration. Young people are placed in a closed juvenile detention center, where they receive intensive supervision and treatment. This is sometimes referred to as "youth TBS," although it officially has a different legal status.
Comparison with Juvenile Detention
Although the PIJ measure is similar to juvenile detention, its objectives are different. Juvenile detention emphasizes punishment and isolation of the juvenile, while the PIJ measure focuses primarily on treatment and reintegration. The PIJ measure is imposed on juveniles between the ages of 12 and 23. The goal is to prevent recidivism and promote positive change.
Treatment and Counseling
During the PIJ sentence, youth receive supervision from a team of professionals, including psychologists, educators, social workers and teachers. This team helps youths address behavioral problems and develop skills that will help them beyond their stay in the facility. This includes therapies, educational programs and social skills training.
Purpose and Duration of the PIJ Measure.
The primary goal of the PIJ measure is to prevent the recurrence of criminal behavior by providing juveniles with intensive treatment. The measure is imposed by the court and evaluated regularly to determine whether continuation is necessary.
The measure is initially imposed for three years, with the first year being unconditional and the remaining two years being conditional. For serious crimes, the term can be extended to five years, with the last year as probation. If there are developmental or psychological disorders, the measure can be extended by two years. The maximum duration of the PIJ measure is seven years, the last year of which is conditional.
Examples of PIJ measure
The PIJ measure can be imposed in various situations, including:
- Serious Violent Crime: Youth involved in serious violent crimes such as assault, robbery, or murder.
- Sex crimes: Youth convicted of serious sex offenses such as rape or sexual abuse.
- Serious Asset Crimes: Youth involved in serious property crimes such as robberies or burglaries with significant damage.
- Repeated Criminal Behavior: Youth who have repeatedly exhibited criminal activity and previous interventions have not been effective.
- Violent Behavior with High Recidivism Rate: Youth who were previously involved in violent incidents and show a high risk of recurrence.
Need a lawyer for PIJ measure?
Yes, it is very important to have an experienced attorney at a juvenile court hearing. The lawyer can help you prepare your defense, gather evidence, and give advice on possible next steps, such as appeal.
Do you have questions or have you received a subpoena for a multiple-chamber hearing? If so, please contact a specialized attorney. You can reach our office via email at info@klpadvocaten.nl or by phone during office hours at 020-6731548. In urgent cases, such as an impending arrest, please call our emergency phone number 06-24428734.
