Discontent about trial freer detainees

Dutch prisoners increasingly get the key of their own cell, to the dissatisfaction of keepers.

After experiments in Dordrecht, Heerhugowaard and Zaandam, sixty prisoners in Arnhem now have the key of their own cell. It is a trial in which detainees are allowed to move up to 21.30 hours in certain parts of the prison.

'These prisoners can do anything themselves without supervision,' says Rob Minkes, chairman of the Central Works Council (COR) of the Justice Department. 'The risk is therefore greater that they continue their criminal cases, because they can chat with each other for a long time and without interruption. ''