Short report
Some critical considerations concerning the execution of imprisonment in specialized psychiatric clinics
J. Schuler
Dutch law knows the measure detaining at the government's pleasure; meaning referral to a psychiatric clinic. The measure is designed for delinquents, who are only partly responsible and who are dangerous for public order. The measure is combined with punishment, because the delinquent is considered partly responsible. Over the last five years the measure is imposed to a less extent. There is also a slight tendency to combine the measure with more years of imprisonment. In consequence some more delinquents who can't serve a prison sentence because of personality disorders have to be transferred to specialized mental hospitals. In this cases sentences with only punishment should decrease in favor of an increase of those sentences with shorter imprisonment combined with the measure detaining at the government's pleasure.