The prison system operates a basic and plus program. Prisoners can be promoted, meaning they are allowed to spend more time outside their cells, or demoted, meaning they have to spend more time in their cells. Detainees are held accountable for their behavior. Desired behavior leads to promotion. Examples include keeping one's cell clean and participating in reintegration activities. Undesirable or inadmissible behavior may prevent someone from being promoted or may even lead to demotion. Inadmissible behavior, such as aggression and vandalism, results in demotion. For undesirable behavior, such as tardiness, the behavior is judged within the context in which it occurred.
What is the basic program?
The basic program includes about 42.5 hours of activities per week. There is (mostly) no evening program and only limited activities on weekends. When there are no activities, the detainee stays in the cell. The basic program is available in both the house of detention (hvb) and the prison. If an inmate has been promoted in the hvb and is later sentenced to prison, he or she can be placed directly into the plus program when transferred to prison.
What is the plus program?
The plus program is described in the regulations as a program offered in prison consisting of the components of the basic program, supplemented by additional educational facilities, skilled work or work with more freedoms, behavioral interventions, additional reintegration activities and the possibility of choosing the time of participation in certain activities. The plus program includes 48 hours of activities per week. There is an evening program two nights a week and additional activities on weekends. Detainees may, when there are no activities, stay outside their cells on the ward. The plus program offers more responsibilities and the opportunity to indicate preferences for scheduling certain activities. When determining an inmate's eligibility for external freedoms, behavior throughout the detention period is considered.
Can you complain and appeal when demoted?
Against decisions on promotion and demotion, inmates may file a complaint with the facility's Supervisory Committee. If no decision is made, a complaint can also be filed against this. Following the decision, an appeal can be lodged with the Council for the Administration of Criminal Justice and Protection of Juveniles (RSJ).
Lawyer relegation prison needed?
Do you have questions or would you like to seek legal help immediately? If so, please contact our office. You can email us at info@klpadvocaten.nl or contact us by phone during business hours at 020-6731548. For urgent matters, such as an upcoming arrest, please reach us at our emergency number 06-24428734.
