On behalf of Restorative Justice The Netherlands I am responding.
We are working on programs which aim to reduce short term detention. In The Netherlands pre trial detention is a huge 'predictor' and contributor to short term detention.
In our view pre trial detention should be firstly and foremost restricted and pushed back for better alternatives. In our Changing Justice Gears program we are talking about 'internal subsidiarity" with regards to (pre trial) detention as ultimate intervention or 'retribution'.
If there is no other option we think it is possible to innovate for the better on the form in which pre trial detention should take place. In our RESCALED program we want to make the difference by replacing old detention forms by small scale, community integrated and differentiated forms of detention houses or societal detention. Normalisation after a criminal offence requires normalisation of the environment in which detention is executed AND normalisation of relations, a.o. through effective and impactful restorative justice interventions.
Gert Jan Slump
Criminologist and criminal justice and restorative justice innovator