The Dutch Complaint Procedure for Prisoners Under Pressure

The Dutch complaint procedure for prisoners has been labelled as an example for other countries. At the same time, the number of complaints from prisoners has been rising for years. This puts increasing pressure on the Dutch complaint system. This chapter examines which normative requirements a good complaints system for prisoners should meet. It also describes the Dutch complaints procedure and its development in recent years. Using empirical data, it paints a picture of the rising number of complaints. It also examines the causes of the increase and the solutions that have been proposed and introduced so far and its effects. Finally, it examines whether the Dutch complaints procedure for prisoners meets the requirements set for it in international standards.