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RECENT EVOLUTIONS OF QUASI-COERCED TREATMENT IN THE BELGIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Thematic meeting on monitoring and evaluating national experience with quasi coerced treatment Criminal Justice Platform, May 27, 2010 Karel Berteloot
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Introduction Department for Criminal policy Philosophy Belgian drug users policy: document of 2001 and 2010 Public health issue Prevention > treatment > punishment Criminal reaction: alternative sanctions
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1. General provisions Police > prosecutor > examining magistrate > court > execution General possibilities concerning drug related offenders on prosecutorial level: Dismiss of a case (possibly praetorian probation) Payment of a sum of money (“settlement”), only for small offences For small and medium offences: mediation Set up a judicial inquiry Bring to trial
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2. Test Care (Proefzorg) Since 2005 – Ghent region prosecutorial power to dismiss a case praetorian probation: conditional dismissal without a legal framework Short or long test care track Users + public nuisance + small trade to finance own taking + minors
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Evaluation: -Fills in a gap in the criminal justice system -Better cooperation between judicial authorities and treatment facilities by means of -Bridging functions -Clear reporting -Clear barriers -Partnership Lessons for other regions: -Dialogue -Uniform criminal policy -Case management -Funding
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3. Narcotic Adviser (Conseiller stratégique drogue) Since 2005 – Liège region Similar to Ghent system: praetorian probation
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Provisional evaluation: -Clear arrangements & definitions -Sufficient funding -Net widening -Complete guidance or support, not only treatment -Need for drug court
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4. National implementation Three options for legal framework: - seperate regulation for drug users - adaptation of current mediation regulations - general provision on dissolution of charges at prosecutorial level Points of interest: - which criminal offences? - due process of law - net widening - general policy (justice – public health)
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5. Drug treatment court (Drugbehandelingskamer) Since 2008 – Ghent region Ultimum remedium principle Postponement verdict Failed test care Failed mediation (if victim) Trade to support own drug abuse Drug related crime Minors
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Provisional evaluation: -Added value towards Test Care -Close follow up -Difference with probation Recommendations: -Attention for general guidance and sufficient support -Networking -Sufficient capacity social service sector -Clear barriers -Maximise judicial pressure -Rehabilitation -Coordinator
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6. Conclusions -Let the cobbler stick to his last -Cooperation & information -Funding -Due process of law
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QUESTIONS? Karel Berteloot www.strafrechtelijkbeleid.be www.politiquecriminelle.be
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