What if a country needed fewer prisons because it changed the way it handled crime? That is part of the remarkable story behind the Netherlands and its justice system.

 

What if a country needed fewer prisons because it changed the way it handled crime? That is part of the remarkable story behind the Netherlands and its justice system.

Over the past two decades, the Netherlands has closed more than 23 prisons as the number of people behind bars steadily fell. Between 2005 and 2015 alone, the prison population dropped by around 44%, giving the country one of the lowest incarceration rates in Europe. At one point, the Netherlands even accepted prisoners from neighboring countries to make use of its available prison space.

A major reason for this change is the country's focus on rehabilitation instead of relying mainly on long prison sentences. For many non-violent offenses, judges often choose community service, electronic ankle monitors, fines, or treatment programs instead of sending someone to prison. When prison sentences are given, they are often shorter, especially for less serious crimes.

Another factor is that many traditional crimes, such as burglaries and street thefts, have declined over the years. At the same time, more criminal activity has shifted into the digital world, changing how law enforcement and the justice system respond.

The story does not end with empty prison buildings. Many former prisons have found a new purpose as hotels, apartments, creative workspaces, and temporary housing. It is an interesting example of how changes in justice policies, rehabilitation, and society can reshape an entire country's prison system.