New dutch prison

meditraitor · 19-01-2006 11:11am #1

This is a great Idea, but could do with a couple of extra insentives not to repeat offend

By TOBY STERLING, Associated Press Writer
Wed Jan 18, 6:30 PM ET

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - A high-tech prison opening this week where inmates wear electronic wristbands that track their every movement and guards monitor cells using emotion-recognition software.

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Authorities are convinced the jail in Lelystad — quickly dubbed "the Big Brother Prison" by the local press — represents the future of correctional facilities: cheap and efficient, without coddling criminals or violating their fundamental rights.

Detainees will be kept in six-man dormitory cells. They will do their own cooking, washing and organize their own daytime schedules via a touch-screen monitor at the foot of their beds.

"We hesitate to compare it to a youth hostel because the biggest part of being punished is that you've lost your freedom," Justice Ministry spokesman Hans Janssens said.

Prisoners have limited choices for their activities — electives include drug education classes and exercise — and they are locked in their cells at night.

Unlike the "Big Brother" television program, camera surveillance is limited to public spaces — not on bunk beds or in bathrooms.

Cells are equipped with microphones that relay information to the prison's control center, where software analyzes sound volume and rhythm to alert guards when a violent confrontation between inmates may be taking place.

Prison officials expect to save money: The estimated cost per prisoner is $125 per night, compared with $170 at other Dutch prisons. Because monitoring is easier, the Lelystad facility requires far fewer guards.

Pieter Vleeming of the European Organization for the Protection of Prisoner's Rights said prisoners should be given more opportunity for self-improvement and job training, though he generally gave the prison positive marks.

"From a punishment point of view there are no objections," he said. "You could call it progress."

off the top of my head, a devise that gives the prisoners a quick shock when they give lip or start trouble built into the wristbands,

godtabh · 19-01-2006 11:53am

Touch screen's at the end of their beds! That kind of stuff woulndt last 10mins in a hostel in Ireland let alone a prision.

Its a pity you cant be made to hard labour any more!

county · 19-01-2006 12:13pm

sounds to me like a holiday camp for prisoners,we seem to forget why these people are inside ,for being nasty people!

Big Nelly · 19-01-2006 12:22pm

If there is life the Dutch will find it

rubadub · 19-01-2006 2:41pm

include drug education classes

They already have them in mountjoy, how to deal, smuggle, make & take them

Kojak · 19-01-2006 2:49pm

It sounds too easy for criminals and it will lead to more re-offenders from disadvantaged backgrounds because the conditions in prision would be far better than in their own home.

Prison should be a punishment, not a fu*king holiday camp. :mad: :mad:

The Bollox · 19-01-2006 2:54pm

that shock bracelet reminded me of face off with those magnetic boots, lol

Lump · 19-01-2006 10:47pm

When I read it in the guardian, I was indeed shocked, but after thinking about it for a while I can see how it'd work. Controlled free time, only being able to chose drug rehab / excercise as a past time..... being locked up at night, the fact that it costs £30 less per prisoner per day! I'm all for it and will be interested to see how it runs.

John