Netherlands

Europe
Total prison population:
11,537
Country
Netherlands
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
Netherlands

Telephone
+31703702771
Fax
+31703702910
Website
https://www.dji.nl/
Head of prison administration
Wim Saris, General Director of NACI (Director of Prison Service: Monique Schippers)

Prison population data

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
13,847 87
16,239 100
20,075 123
20,463 125
16,416 100
15,235 92
13,749 82
11,603 69
10,115 59
10,887 63
10,542 60
10,899 61

Prison population total

Prison population rate

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 trend up to 2000

The figures below give an indication of the prison population trend in the years up to 2000. They supplement the more recent figures that are shown at the foot of the Overview page and in the graphs below.

The figures for 1951-75 are averages for each of the five-year periods shown. 

                                          NETHERLANDS

Year

Prison
population
total

Prison population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

1946-50
1951-55
1956-60
1961-65
1966-70
1971-75
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000

6,914
5,609
5,000
3,947
3,786
3,152
3,873
4,888
6,662
11,886
13,847

71
54
45
33
30
24
27
34
45
77
87

 

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