According to Rodermond, the Netherlands has a relatively high number of short prison sentences; in about 75 percent of the cases, sentences of three months or less are involved. Research shows that good counseling when returning to society significantly reduces the chance that someone will revert to old habits.
The guidance mainly focuses on help with finding housing and a job, but also looks at motivation, belief in your own abilities, confidence in the future and reconstructing contact with family members.
In many cases, inmates in the final phase of their sentence are allowed to work outside the prison under escort. This way they can gain work experience and get used to the daily routine.
Worries about the future
Due to corona, this all came to a halt and strict rules applied in prisons. For example, prisoners were not allowed to receive family members for a long time, but also probation officers and municipal officials no longer came to prison. These contacts were made by telephone or via Skype. Special job markets were not allowed to continue.
And precisely because finding suitable work has become more difficult during corona, criminologist Elanie Rodermond thinks that a return to the labor market will be a problem. “There are also a lot of non-ex-prisoners looking for a job. The chance that an ex-prisoner will get the job is a lot smaller.” Rodermond is afraid that ex-prisoners will fall back into old habits more quickly. “But that will only become visible in some time.”
What can also play a negative role is the social distancing. According to Rodermond, it is known that the social network is important during reintegration and can offer support. Former prisoners are regularly supported financially by family members or friends. In addition, ex-prisoners without stable housing of their own often rely on family and friends for a (temporary) place to sleep. All this is now a lot more difficult due to the tightened corona rules.
‘An ordinary life’
Many questions remain unanswered for the 20-year-old detainee from Middelburg. “How should I deal with my family and friends where so much has changed? I am also part of society and have rights.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I want to live a crime-free life and work hard for my money. I really want to show my family and friends that I want to improve my life when I get out again. But I do. don’t just speak for myself: here in prison, we feel forgotten.
Below the item from Omroep Zeeland about the letters. The person in the picture is an employee of the broadcaster.
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