Netherlands

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CountryNetherlands
Ministry responsible
Ministry of Security and Justice
Prison administration
National Agency of Correctional Institutions (NACI)
Contact address
P.O. Box 30132, NL-2500 GC, THE HAGUE, Netherlands
Telephone
+31 70 370 2771
Fax
+31 70 370 2910
Website
Head of prison administration (and title)
Gerard Bakker
General Director of NACI (Director of Prison Service: Monique Schippers)
Prison population total (including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners)
11 537
at 30.9.2023 (national prison administration)
Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
64
based on an estimated national population of 17.91 million at end of September 2023 (from Eurostat figures)
Pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners (percentage of prison population)
29.2%
(30.9.2023)
Female prisoners (percentage of prison population)
4.7%
(30.9.2023)
Juveniles / minors / young prisoners incl. definition (percentage of prison population)
1.3%
(30.9.2023 - under 18)
Foreign prisoners (percentage of prison population)
25.2%
(30.9.2023)
Number of establishments / institutions
49
(2023)
Official capacity of prison system
14 789
(30.9.2023)
Occupancy level (based on official capacity)
78.0%
(30.9.2023)
Prison population trend
(year, prison population total, prison population rate)
2000 13,847 87
2002 16,239 100
2004 20,075 123
2006 20,463 125
2008 16,416 100
2010 15,235 92
2012 13,749 82
2014 11,603 69
2016 10,115 59
2018 10,887 63
2020 10,542 60
2000 13,847 87
2002 16,239 100
2004 20,075 123
2006 20,463 125
2008 16,416 100
2010 15,235 92
2012 13,749 82
2014 11,603 69
2016 10,115 59
2018 10,887 63
2020 10,542 60

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Pre-trial/remand prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the recent trend in the pre-trial/remand prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that pre-trial/remand prisoners constituted on that day.  

The final column shows the pre-trial/remand population rate per 100,000 of the national population. 

                                                 NETHERLANDS

Year

Number in
pre-trial/remand
imprisonment

Percentage
of total
prison population

Pre-trial/remand
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2000
2005
2010
2015

4,372
6,232
5,701
3,041

39.1%
35.2%
43.0%
29.6%

27
38
34
18

2023

3,372

29.2%

19

Note. The figures for 2000-2010 do not include those held in juvenile institutions or psychiatric (TBS) clinics.

It should be noted that the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners fluctuates from day to day, month to month and year to year. Consequently the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.                                                      

The pre-trial/remand population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities. 

Female prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the trend in the female prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of female prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that female prisoners constituted on that day. 

The final column shows the female prison population rate per 100,000 of the national population.

                                                 NETHERLANDS

Year

Number of
female
prisoners

Percentage
of total
prison population

Female prison
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2001
2006
2010
2015

1,232
1,835
1,161
582

8.2%
8.7%
7.4%
5.7%

7.7
11.2
7.0
3.4

2023

543

4.7%

3.0

The number of female prisoners fluctuates and so the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.  

The female prison population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities.

(If the rate were calculated on the basis of the number of females in the national population it would of course be approximately double the figure in the final column).

Prison population total
Prison population rate