How the Netherlands Turned Prisons into Hotels

In recent years, the Netherlands has emerged as an outlier in global incarceration trends, demonstrating a significant reduction in its prison population. This phenomenon, often referred to as “decarceration,” has caught the attention of criminologists, policymakers, and social scientists worldwide.

Between 2005 and 2016, the Netherlands witnessed a dramatic decrease in its imprisonment rate, falling from 94 per 100,000 citizens to 51 per 100,000. Recent data from 2021–2022 indicates a stabilization at approximately 54 per 100,000. This trend stands in stark contrast to many other nations, where prison populations continue to grow.

The former prison, nowadays stylish hotel, Het Arresthuis, located in the Dutch town of Roermond.

Key Factors Contributing to the Decline

1. Judicial Approach: Dutch courts have increasingly favored non-custodial sentences.
2. Pre-trial Detention: There has been a notable reduction in the use of pre-trial detention.
3. Crime Rates: Overall crime rates in the Netherlands have decreased significantly.
4. Prosecution Procedures: Changes allow for more alternative sentencing options.
5. Sentence Duration: The Netherlands has unusually short average sentence lengths compared to other European countries.

Implications and Repurposing