NCJ Number
101463
Date Published
1985
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The use of weekend imprisonment is unlikely to become widespread in The Netherlands, because it is an inefficient use of prison space and is less attractive than other types of sentences.
Abstract
However, intermittent sentences could have a useful role if they were an educational program handled through an organization administering all alternative sentences. Dutch offenders tend to receive short sentences, although the use of prison is increasing, and prison capacity is being expanded. Weekend imprisonment is permitted by law but is seldom used. It is available only to offenders who request it and who have prison sentences of 2 weeks or less. Intermittent custody does not seem to be much needed in The Netherlands, because of the proposed expansion of conditional sentences and conditional release, the introduction of the community service order, the traffic alcohol prevention program involving sentences of 1 to 2 weeks, and the plan to introduce daytime imprisonment as a final stage of a prison term. Intermittent custody might be useful if introduced together with the alternatives of community service orders and noncustodial courses. The results of these alternatives and their acceptance by the public and by sentenced offenders would need evaluation. 4 reference notes.