Prison staff today takes action at the Lower House in The Hague. Employees are struggling with high work pressure and want more money. “The work is also under pressure in Veenhuizen,” says FNV director Marcelle Buitendam.
There is too few staff throughout the country, creating shortage in prisons. Certain prisoners are therefore released two weeks earlier to make room.
According to Buitendam, the prison complex in Veenhuizen is a large employer in the region where ‘involved and skilled people work’ and where the atmosphere is good. But the problems in the prison system are therefore not spared.
Prison staff also has to deal with increasing aggression of prisoners. “Unfortunately also in Veenhuizen,” says Buitendam. “There is a threat to employees with everything and they don’t deserve that.” Last month a guard was still punched in his face by a prisoner, who was approached for inappropriate behavior.
FNV wants to have 20 million euros for the prison system this year. “With that we can organize a so-called shortage, but unfortunately politics is not that far yet,” says Buitendam. “There is no penny for the time being. There is money to stones and buildings, but not to employees.”
State Secretary Arno Rutte (VVD) of Justice and Security announced earlier this week that staff ‘as a token of appreciation’ will receive an allowance of 500 euros net. That amount is paid by Department of Custodial Institutions (DJI).
The action of FNV’ers and prison employees is at the end of the afternoon, when the Permanent Chamber Committee of Justice and Security comes together for a debate about the problems in prisons. “We are going there with furnishing workers from all over the country. At least we are in the hall with twenty people. Outside is also an action.”
That will not be an action with large banners. According to Buitendam, they do not do that because of tensions in society. “We hand out small drops, because this is the drop for us. It contains a small hourglass of five minutes. That was for five to twelve, but it is now five past twelve.”
Buitendam does not exclude more protests. According to her, the employer – DJI – does its best, but politics is now up to date.