Het revolutionair potentieel van herinneringen : omwentelingen in de Nederlandse bestraffingscultuur na de Duitse bezettingstijd

Abstract

The reform of the Dutch prison system after World War II has traditionally been attributed to Dutch members of the resistance who had experienced life inside the Dutch prison system during the occupation as political prisoners. This article, focusing upon the years 1915-1951, reconsiders their role in the transformation of the Dutch prison system after the Second World War. Their role turns out to have been primarily symbolical. Their prison memories forced a breakthrough in the public debate on Dutch prisons and were highlighted by those who wished to see the system reformed. During the interbellum period traditional ideas of retribution had stopped profound prison reform. The years under consideration are a time in which - from the introduction of the suspended sentence untilthe end of the cellular system - the punishment for the protection of society increasinglycleared the way for the rehabilitation of the convicted. This contrasts sharply with the currentpolitical debate on punishment of criminals. Currently, by being allowed to talk aboutthe impact of the committed crimes on their lives, the victims of crimes are granted a centralrole during the criminal proceedings against suspects.