News item | 01-11-2025 | 11:00
From today, November 1, 2025, stricter rules apply to the communication of high-risk detainees in the Extra Secure Institution (EBI) in Vught and in the Intensive Supervision Departments (AIT) in other prisons.
Minimal contact, maximum supervision
These rules involve minimal contact and maximum supervision. With these new rules, the Judicial Institutions Agency (DJI) can prevent continued criminal activity from detention as much as possible and thus contribute to safety, both inside and outside our prison walls. These rules were previously laid down in the amendment to the Penitentiary Principles Act (Pbw) that was approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate. Now these rules are being implemented.
Some criminals do not want to part with their old lives. They continue their crimes from prison and use contact options to continue their activities. To prevent continued criminal activity in detention, these detainees are given fewer calling and visiting opportunities. As of today, EBI detainees are allowed to call once a week for 10 minutes and receive visitors for 1 hour per week. As of today, AIT detainees are allowed to make 10-minute calls 3 times a week and receive visitors for 1 hour once a week. Detainees may only call persons – with the exception of lawyers – who are at a location designated by the State Secretary.
Visual supervision
As of today, visual surveillance will be applied to physical conversations between EBI and AIT detainees and their lawyer. The number of lawyers with whom a detainee may have confidential contact is also limited in principle to 2. It is also stipulated that medical treatment and spiritual care always take place in the presence of 2 care providers. This 4-eye principle also applies to other professional groups that have contact with detainees in the EBI or AIT, such as probation officers or members of the supervisory committee.
Command authority
The stricter rules may temporarily restrict communication options at an individual level if there are indications of intimidation, life-threatening activities or a danger to public order.