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EU Framework Decisions make it possible to transfer prison sentences and conditional sanctions within the EU. This allows offenders to rehabilitate in the country where they live, work and have their social ties. The Netherlands are leading in transferring measures and the Dutch Probation Service calls for more cooperation to ease transfer processes.
The International Office of the Dutch Probation Service has a role in the transfer of probation measures and alternative sanctions. They work closely together with the Public Prosecution Office. The Netherlands is leading in the transfer of probation measures. Within the EU, they handled cases to and from Belgium, Poland, Spain, Germany and Hungary.
At the CEP meeting about the EU Framework Decisions in Brussels the International Office presented their experiences. The transfer of a prison sentence is relatively simple in comparison with the transfer of probation measures. There is a lot of diversity in the way obligations and instructions belonging to the supervision are intended and interpreted.
This makes customization necessary. Often explanations and sometimes adjustments are required.
The International Office also sees that offenders and their lawyers are often unaware of the possibilities the Framework Decisions offer. Dutch detainees therefore receive a leaflet in order to stimulate them to make use of the Framework Decisions:
www.reclassering.nl/documents/Buitenland/Infoblad-straf%20in%20Nederland%20ENG.pdf
The International Office calls for more local cooperation. In general most of the transfer cases are with countries nearby. Therefore the International Office organized a cross border conference with Germany and Belgium. A conference with France and Spain will follow.
Marjolein Groot