1. PF The Netherlands
Riga, May 2015

2. Dutch prisons Total population in The Netherlands:
17 million people Prison of Rotterdam
Number of prisons:
Adults: 30 prisons (capacity )
Youth: 9 prisons (capacity )
TBS: clinics (capacity )
(For offenders with psychological problems or personality disorders)
Length of detention: 74% less than 3 months/ 26% more than 3 months
Inmates in 2013:
Ex-prisoners in 2013:
No specific care for relatives of prisoners

3. Co-operation prison staff and local officials
During detention the inmate and social worker exchange information about the expected situation after release (at arrival in prison / 2 months before release)
Communication between social worker and local official
In each town a local official is responsible for aftercare of inmates
Aftercare is still difficult, due
to insufficient time and
funds to arrange proper
housing, shelter, jobs, etc.

4. Free, … ?

5. Developments in Dutch society
Growing demand for volunteer work. Government withdraws
People search for demanding volunteer work, often for a certain period

6. NGO’s to support (ex) prisoners
1998: Volunteer organizations got permission to visit prisoners outside standard visiting hours: no need to make a choice between visits of family or volunteer. The talks are private: privacy is assured
2010: Ministry of Justice developed policy on volunteer work in prisons
Growing awareness on importance of NGO contribution.
Recently research was done on value of volunteer work in prisons
NGO’s need to stay focused on their core business. Prison staff tend to invite volunteers for various activities that are not their responsibility.

7. Main activities of Dutch NGO’s
Volunteers who visit in prison and continue visiting in aftercare
Halfway-houses. Reintegration in society, during last year of imprisonment
Volunteers for aftercare

8. PF The Netherlands
Goal: to support prisoners and their families during imprisonment and afterwards
Vision: to be an organization of restoration
Mission: to empower people and churches to visit prisoners
core value: Bible as the word of God (basic for life & work)
diakonia: preach gospel, use words if necessary

9. Projects of PF The Netherlands
Visiting prisoners and ex-prisoners
2014:
489 prisoners / 2944 visits
141 ex-prisoners / 601 visits

10. Projects of PF The Netherlands
Visiting family members of (ex) prisoners (partners, children and parents)
2014:
151 family members / 797 visits

11. Projects of PF The Netherlands
Job placement for ex-inmates
2014:
26 ex-prisoners successfully placed

12. Projects of PF The Netherlands
Angel’s Tree: Present for children
(birthday / christmas)
2014:
659 presents

13. Projects of PF The Netherlands
Sycamore Tree Project
(courses for (ex) offenders and victims)
2014:
132 courses /
718 participants

15. PF The Netherlands Professional volunteer work
575 volunteers / 20 paid staff
14 social workers / 2 colleagues for Job Placement
Social workers are responsible for:
Intake
communication with prison and local officials
support and training volunteers

16. PF The Netherlands Volunteers are responsible for : Visits
personal attention
moral support
practical assistance
Training: role volunteer and professional, how to handle critical situations, cooperation with social workers, communication.
We receive more than enough applications for volunteers

17. Total budget 2014: 2 million euro17