Country

Netherlands

Detention issue

FRA research findings

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Legal instruments & key provisions

Legal instrument Key provision
Penitentiary Principles Act (Penitentiaire beginselenwet)The national minimum standard prisoners can spent outdoors is one hour each day. The national minimum standard for time spent indoors in the common area is six hours a week for recreation purposes. The Act entitles each prisoner to physical exercise and practice of sports for a minimum period of twice three quarters of an hour per week. Sports and other recreational and educational facilities are available.
Penitentiary Order (Penitentiaire maatregel)The Penitentiary Order distinguishes between two types of daily programmes: a basic programme and a plus programme. The basic programme comprises 42.5 hours per week, of which at least 22.5 hours are offered for activities and visits. The programme consists of the statutory basic activities as laid down in the Penitentiary Principles Act, such as recreation, exercise and work. The plus programme comprises 59 hours per week, of which 28 hours per week are offered for activities and visits. The plus programme consists of the same components as the basic programme, but the programme is expanded by adjusting the content, freedoms and intensity of the programme. Activities aimed at a return to society are more intensively dealt with. More training, return activities and behavioural interventions are offered than in the basic programme.

NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM RECOMMENDATIONS

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