28 Feb 2024 at 23:07
The Public Prosecution Service is prosecuting three guards at the women’s prison in Nieuwersluis in Utrecht for assaulting female detainees. One of the guards is also suspected of raping a prisoner.
“Following reports and subsequent investigation, the Public Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute three men for sexual offences,” the spokesperson said. According to the Public Prosecution Service, the crimes were committed between February and June 2022.
The victims are four women who were held in Nieuwersluis prison at the time. Two guards are charged with two victims. It is not yet known when the men will appear in court. “The defense will now first be given the opportunity to take note of the file and submit investigation requests,” the Public Prosecution Service said.
The spokesperson adds that three other reports have been filed. These did not lead to prosecution of suspects. “Two reports were dismissed for lack of evidence and a third did not lead to an investigation because the report did not lead to the suspicion of a criminal offense.”
‘Detainees must be able to report misconduct anonymously’
The Justice and Security Inspectorate concluded last year that women in the prison in Nieuwersluis are structurally abused by staff. Prisoners spoke about, among other things, sexually explicit comments, French kissing, oral gratification and relationships between employees and detainees. There would also be bullying, shouting and swearing.
Mariëtte Hamer, government commissioner for sexual violence, has drawn up advice on safety in the Nieuwersluis prison. According to her, strict measures are needed because the risk of sexual misconduct in prisons is very high.
Any form of sexual intercourse between detainees and employees is by definition transgressive, says Hamer. Employees must address each other about this. In addition, all reports must be taken seriously, is the advice. It is important that detainees can report misconduct anonymously.
The powerful position of guards also increases the chance that things will go wrong. According to Hamer, prisoners are vulnerable because they have more than average mild intellectual disabilities and traumatic experiences. She believes that staff should be prohibited from granting or depriving prisoners of privileges, such as extra calling time.
For her advice, Hamer spoke to employees and management of prisons, their supervisors and (former) prisoners.
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2024-02-28 22:07:51
#womens #prison #guards #prosecuted #sexual #assault #rape #Domestic
