This dissertation is about intra-EU workers and labour law related (bogus) constructions under which they work in the Netherlands and other EU member states.Through the following two main research... Show moreThis dissertation is about intra-EU workers and labour law related (bogus) constructions under which they work in the Netherlands and other EU member states.Through the following two main research questions this situation is outlined and analysed.1. To what extent do intra-EU workers in the Netherlands work under labour law related (bogus) constructions that (financially) disadvantage them?2. What are the perceptions of intra-EU workers regarding the use of labour law related (bogus) constructions and their working conditions and circumstances under which they work in the Netherlands and other EU member states?In each chapter of this thesis, these questions are elaborated into more specific research questions.In this research both legal and empirical research that fits within the Empirical Legal Studies (ELS) framework is conducted. Through this combination of research methods it was viable to link the collected empirical (interview) data to the legal data based on literature and case law research. Hence, the theory (law in books) was tested against facts and observations (law in action). Moreover, by establishing this link the present research adds a new and valuable dimension to current academic legal and social scientific research. Show less
In recent decades, countries around the globe have taken measures to stop sexual exploitation of children by transnational offenders. But despite the growing attention for this problem, scientific... Show moreIn recent decades, countries around the globe have taken measures to stop sexual exploitation of children by transnational offenders. But despite the growing attention for this problem, scientific research about sexual exploitation of children in the context of travel and tourism (SECTT) is in its infancy. Using a novel application of the theoretical framework of guardianship to SECTT, this doctoral dissertation investigates the role of third parties in combating child sexual exploitation by transnational offenders. How can governments, in both destination and sending countries, enact guardianship against SECTT? To what extent can individual citizens, like you and me, help to stop it? And which lessons can be learned for more effective policy?The studies in this book illustrate the possibilities and challenges for governments and citizens to enact guardianship against SECTT, while demonstrating different research methods that can be used to bring more light to this under-researched problem. Highlighting the importance of perceptions, unpicking the responsibilities of sending countries, and at times challenging popular conceptions, the book’s timely plea against superficial solutions draws attention to the need for more evidence-based policy. Those involved in child protection, from academics to practitioners, will find the material in this book an insightful starting point to inform new ways of confronting SECTT. Show less
Because of the development of the internet and the associated digital opportunities, the crimes of possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) have gone through tremendous... Show moreBecause of the development of the internet and the associated digital opportunities, the crimes of possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) have gone through tremendous changes and developments over the last decennia. Nowadays, many CSAM offenders access and distribute CSAM through the Darkweb, the hidden and encrypted part of the internet. This book offers a description of the criminal process and the organization of CSAM fora on the Darkweb. Moreover, it describes how ‘keyplayers’ on such fora can be identified, and distinguishes various profiles and behavioral patterns of offenders active on Darkweb CSAM fora. Finally, the book describes how trust on the online fora is established. The studies described in this book provide an important, evidence-based contribution to the current knowledge on online CSAM offending. Extensively discussing practical implications for law enforcement and other professional organizations, this book is of relevance to academics as well as practitioners. Show less
One of the few ways individuals can have meaningful contact with the outside world while incarcerated is through prison visits. Prison visitation has steadily gained academic attention in the past... Show moreOne of the few ways individuals can have meaningful contact with the outside world while incarcerated is through prison visits. Prison visitation has steadily gained academic attention in the past decade as theoretical accounts highlight that receiving visits in prison is beneficial and empirical studies largely reinforce this, leading to increased calls for stimulating prison visits. Yet not all results lead to unequivocal conclusions, and little is known about whether, how often, and from whom individuals receive visits and under which circumstances visits affect behavior, especially across different contexts and populations. Work on this topic is complicated as visitation is a heterogeneous experience and the social and incarceration contexts in which visits take place are complex. By taking a comprehensive approach and using multifaceted measures of visitation from several sources, the current dissertation furthers our understanding of prison visitation, its impacts, and its likelihood across people. This dissertation demonstrates that a substantial number of individuals do not receive visits in Dutch prison. While some individuals are less likely to receive visits, this dissertation finds that prison policies can also enable or hinder the receipt of visits. Receiving visits is not always positive for life in prison, but receiving frequent visits, especially before release, seems important for reentry success. Show less
Burgerraadplegingen door het Openbaar Ministerie, actievere voorlichting en uitspraken in ‘klare taal’: initiatieven gericht op verbetering van de relatie tussen de strafrechtspleging en het... Show moreBurgerraadplegingen door het Openbaar Ministerie, actievere voorlichting en uitspraken in ‘klare taal’: initiatieven gericht op verbetering van de relatie tussen de strafrechtspleging en het publiek zijn er te over. Dit is niet verwonderlijk, nu vaak wordt aangenomen dat deze relatie onder hoogspanning staat. Burgers vinden de straffen maar laag en rechters zijn te ver verwijderd van de burger, is de veelgehoorde gedachte.Dit onderzoek probeert antwoorden te geven op vragen die in dit verband rijzen. Waarop is de veronderstelling dat de relatie tussen het publiek en de strafrechtspleging zo problematisch is, eigenlijk gebaseerd? Waarop stoelt de gedachte dat de in de praktijk ontplooide initiatieven deze relatie zouden kunnen verbeteren? Wat kan er beter in de relatie tussen het strafrecht en het publiek? En wat verstaan we in dit verband precies onder ‘beter’?Om deze vragen te beantwoorden worden in dit onderzoek empirische en normatieve gezichtspunten gecombineerd. Het bevat een theoretische analyse van begrippen als ‘publieke opinie’ en ‘legitimiteit’ en een kritische bespreking van bestaand onderzoek. Daarnaast wordt aan de hand van twee deelstudies onderzocht hoe het Openbaar Ministerie in dialoog treedt met de publieke opinie. Het onderzoek resulteert in een concreet beoordelingskader voor op de publieke opinie gericht handelen van actoren in de strafrechtspleging en besluit met enkele aanbevelingen aan politiek, strafrechtspraktijk en wetenschap. Show less
We know that most persistent offenders who cause considerable damage to society showed delinquent behavior in childhood. However, the long-term development of childhood arrestees is not well... Show moreWe know that most persistent offenders who cause considerable damage to society showed delinquent behavior in childhood. However, the long-term development of childhood arrestees is not well understood as longitudinal data are largely lacking. Dothese high-risk children develop long-term offense patterns? Or are even the youngest children with a police contact capable of growing into law abiding adults? Or is it both? And, in case of the latter, which childhood arrestees stop showing delinquent behavior, and which children persist in crime into early adulthood? By providinginsight into the long-term development of offending of childhood arrestees, and uncovering its explanatory factors, the current thesis improves our understanding of the delinquent development in this high-risk offender group.The current thesis reveals that, in contrast to popular belief, childhood arrestees are not predestined to develop persistent delinquent behavior, as most children are not re-arrested between the age of 12 and 25. Recidivists display heterogeneity in their re-offense patterns, with only a small group of children developing into persistent offenders. Accounting for simultaneous risk exposure across life domains proved necessary to explain why childhood arrestees follow one trajectory over another. Problems in multiple life domains were found to predict persistent offense patterns. Show less
First introduced in the legal literature, the concept of 'outward appearance' (uiterlijke verschijningsvorm) was recognized by the Supreme Court in 1978. Both in legal literature and in case law,... Show moreFirst introduced in the legal literature, the concept of 'outward appearance' (uiterlijke verschijningsvorm) was recognized by the Supreme Court in 1978. Both in legal literature and in case law, the concept was initially developed within the framework of the doctrine of punishable attempt (regulated in article 45 of the Dutch Criminal Code (DCC)). From 2003 onwards, the concept was transferred to the context of other doctrines, such as those relating to ‘conditional intent’/dolus eventualis (voorwaardelijk opzet) (which has no statutory regulation in the Netherlands), punishable preparatory acts (regulated in article 46 DCC) and self-defence (regulated in article 41 DCC). As this concept is used in the context of doctrines which form the core of substantive criminal law, its use can have substantial consequences for the scope of criminal liability. But what is the concept of 'outward appearance' actually and what are these consequences? By analysing the case law of the Supreme Court this research tries to answer these questions. It shows that the concept is linked with the ‘finality doctrine’ (finale handelingsleer). At the same time, it becomes clear that the Supreme Court has nowhere fully embraced this doctrine. Show less
Collective violence offenders usually do not have a criminal record. In earlier research, the emphasis in explaining collective violence has been on the relationships between the groups involved in... Show moreCollective violence offenders usually do not have a criminal record. In earlier research, the emphasis in explaining collective violence has been on the relationships between the groups involved in collective. This thesis argues that individual characteristics cannot be ignored. A part of collective violence offenders (approximately 10 percent) appear to have come into contact with the police from an early age on due to violence, committed both alone and in groups. Moreover, certain psychological characteristics - such as problems with impulse control, ADHD and aggression regulation problems - are more common in this group than among other collective violence offenders. In short: for some of involved in collective violence, taking part seems to be prompted not only by the situation but also by individual characteristics which manifest themselves in such situations. To date, the role of individual characteristics has only been examined to a limited extent, based on the idea that this does not do justice to the context in which collective violence manifests itself. The findings of this research argue for nuance in the scientific debate. When explaining collective violence, attention should be paid to the mutual relationships between the groups involved, the applicable "values" within specific offender groups (such as hooligans) and individual characteristics. Show less
The current body of law governing the conduct of police and prosecution during the investigative phase of criminal proceedings encompasses an enormous amount of rules. At the same time, a... Show moreThe current body of law governing the conduct of police and prosecution during the investigative phase of criminal proceedings encompasses an enormous amount of rules. At the same time, a restrained approach with regard to the judicial supervisory role of investigative propriety is visible in case law while it remains unclear whether and to which extent other institutions have a supervisory role in this respect. This research looks at the current system of supervision on police and prosecutorial conduct in the context of criminal law proceedings from the viewpoint of criminal law standard. After all, creating rules for the conduct of law enforcement entails a certain obligation to ensure rule-compliance. After illustrating the complexity of the current legal framework as well as the complexity of reasons underlying its norms, the study focuses on the supervision of the conduct of police and prosecution. Based on the specific characteristics of the current Dutch criminal procedural law, the study develops a framework for an adequate system of supervision. The study then describes how currently supervision on police and prosecutorial conduct is organised and finally evaluates this in light of the requirements of adequate supervision as set out in previous chapter. Show less
Although human rights have been heralded as the great hope for contemporary pursuits of equality and justice, they are increasingly challenged by present-day globalisation developments. This... Show moreAlthough human rights have been heralded as the great hope for contemporary pursuits of equality and justice, they are increasingly challenged by present-day globalisation developments. This includes the outsourcing of control to private actors and third states as well as the redrawing of membership categories through ‘crimmigration’ strategies. Looking at migration detention and imprisonment, this book examines to what extent human rights can remain of relevance as a protection framework where such globalisation trends occur. It does so by focusing on macro-level developments as well as on two case studies concerning Australia/Nauru and Norway/the Netherlands. Likening human rights to elephants, both being majestic yet critically endangered, the book argues that an interdisciplinary approach to human rights is long-overdue. Based on analysis of globalisation developments and the veracity and resilience of international human rights law instruments, including the ECHR and ICCPR, it presents an innovative multidimensional framework of protection that incorporates not only the value of human rights law, but also that of human rights morality, protest, and discourse. The book therewith positions human rights analysis squarely at the crossroads of law and social science, giving rise to both hope and concern for the future of the human rights project. Show less
A stable housing situation is considered to be an important condition for successful reentry after a period in prison. Despite this presumed importance of the housing situation of (ex-)prisoners,... Show moreA stable housing situation is considered to be an important condition for successful reentry after a period in prison. Despite this presumed importance of the housing situation of (ex-)prisoners, relatively few studies have been done on this topic, especially in the Netherlands. This thesis therefore provides insight into the housing andmobility of prisoners and ex-prisoners and their relation with recidivism. To answer research questions about housing, mobility and recidivism, it uses data from the Dutch Prison Project, a longitudinal, nationwide study on the consequences of imprisonment. One of the main findings was the large amount of variation in housing patterns of (ex-)prisoners. Many (ex-)prisoners are homeless once or several times before or after their stay in prison. Homelessness is much more common among (ex-)prisoners than it is in the general Dutch population. Furthermore, ex-prisoners move more often than people without a history of incarceration. Both homelessness and moving seem to increase the chances of recidivism. This study underlined the importance of policymakers focusing on all aspects of housing, in order to achieve the biggest reduction in recidivism. Show less
Border control has changed significantly in recent decades. Whereas globalisation appear s to have diminished the relevance of international borders, states have simultaneously sought ways to... Show moreBorder control has changed significantly in recent decades. Whereas globalisation appear s to have diminished the relevance of international borders, states have simultaneously sought ways to regain some form of control over cross-border mobility. In this process, alternative and novel means of border enforcement have emerged. What do these bordering practices look like? How are they implemented on the ground and experienced by those subjected to them? These are the main questions this dissertation aims to answer. To that end, it looks at bordering practices in the Netherlands through the lens of crimmigration, the term used to refer to the growing merger of criminal justice and migration control. Relying on extensive empirical fieldwork – including observations, focus group discussions, surveys, and in-depth interviews – the dissertation examines two border ing practices: intra-Schengen migration policing and the punishment and deportation of criminally convicted non-citizens. The different empirical chapters highlight the various ways these contemporary bordering practices are shaped by and in their turn shape the criminal justice system, and how this ultimately results in considerable challenges for the legitimacy of both the migration control and the criminal justice system. Show less
Door onder meer de grote belangstelling voor strafzaken, toegenomen mondigheid van burgers en meer polarisatie in de rechtszaal, rijst de vraag of de rechter nog voldoende is toegerust om zijn taak... Show moreDoor onder meer de grote belangstelling voor strafzaken, toegenomen mondigheid van burgers en meer polarisatie in de rechtszaal, rijst de vraag of de rechter nog voldoende is toegerust om zijn taak naar behoren te vervullen. Daarbij wordt regelmatig gesuggereerd dat in Nederland behoefte bestaat aan het Angelsaksische instrument van contempt of court. In dit onderzoek is daarom in kaart gebracht wat contempt of court inhoudt, waarbij het rechtsstelsel van Engeland en Wales centraal staat. Om de genoemde suggestie te kunnen beoordelen is ook geïnventariseerd welke vergelijkbare waarborgen voor een goede strafrechtspleging reeds in Nederland voorhanden zijn. Aan de hand van een vergelijking van de bevindingen uit beide rechtsstelsels wordt geconcludeerd dat contempt of court een instrument is dat zich niet goed leent voor implementatie in de Nederlandse rechtsorde. Bovendien blijkt dat in Nederland een tamelijk adequaat stelsel van waarborgen bestaat. Waar de handhavingsmogelijkheden toch ontoereikend zijn worden enkele meer in de eigen rechtscultuur passende instrumenten voorgesteld. Hoewel deze instrumenten kunnen bijdragen aan de waarborging van een goede strafrechtspleging, is ook gebleken dat veel uitdagingen waarvoor de strafrechter zich tegenwoordig gesteld ziet, niet met een contempt-achtige bepaling kunnen worden opgelost. De bevindingen worden daarom ook in breder perspectief geplaatst. Show less
Het artikel dat mensenhandel strafbaar stelt, artikel 273f Wetboek van Strafrecht, is complex. De rechtspraktijk worstelt met zijn uitleg, in de literatuur wordt de bepaling een ‘gedrocht’ genoemd... Show moreHet artikel dat mensenhandel strafbaar stelt, artikel 273f Wetboek van Strafrecht, is complex. De rechtspraktijk worstelt met zijn uitleg, in de literatuur wordt de bepaling een ‘gedrocht’ genoemd.Wat is er aan de hand met de strafbaarstelling van mensenhandel? Wat is haar strekking en welke invloed heeft de Hoge Raad daarop in de afgelopen jaren uitgeoefend? In dit onderzoek worden de achtergronden van de strafbaarstelling van mensenhandel uitgeplozen. Niet alleen door het uitvoeren van verdiepend juridisch-historisch onderzoek, ook door de verschillende mensenhandelgedragingen stuk voor stuk theoretisch te belichten en de rechtspraak te analyseren. Met behulp van het rechtstheoretische concept van de rechtsbelangen wordt blootgelegd dat met de strafbaarstelling van mensenhandel zeer uiteenlopende doelen worden gediend. Dat geeft te denken over de wijze waarop de bepaling momenteel is ingericht en functioneert. Dit onderzoek leidt tot de conclusie dat de huidige stand van zaken schuurt met belangrijke beginselen van de democratische rechtsstaat, zoals de notie van rechtszekerheid en de leer van de machtenscheiding (trias politica). De onwenselijkheid daarvan geeft aanleiding om de strafbaarstelling opnieuw te overdenken. Voor de strafwetgever is er werk aan de winkel. Show less
In the past decades a growing body of literature has been dedicated to explain desistance from offending behaviour, or to answer the question why some offenders quit crime and others do not.... Show moreIn the past decades a growing body of literature has been dedicated to explain desistance from offending behaviour, or to answer the question why some offenders quit crime and others do not. Currently, more psychological explanations infuse a prominent line of research emphasizing the importance of subjective, individual factors coming from within the offender, such as developing a new sense of self-identity. The aim of this study was to gain more insight into different dimensions of desistance, focusing on two aspects of identity: future expectations and conventional aspirations, and investigated how these related to (non-)criminal behaviour over time. Furthermore, this study examined how the parole experience interacted with the different dimensions of desistance. This qualitative, longitudinal study followed 28 male prisoners serving a long-term sentence in the Netherlands during their transition from prison to society. Findings illustrated the importance of individual factors such as believing in one’s own abilities in the context of pre-release expectations, the lack of conventional scripts and role models, and the contribution of parole supervision to the desistance process. Yet, it also revealed the pain of failure for men attempting to refrain from crime, mostly relating to structural support such as employment or housing issues. Show less
Controlling mobilities in the EU is increasingly depending on information and information technology. Abolishing permanent border control between Schengen Member States has created the dilemma... Show moreControlling mobilities in the EU is increasingly depending on information and information technology. Abolishing permanent border control between Schengen Member States has created the dilemma of economic benefits versus security issues of the freedom of movement. The solution to this issue is often sought in the development and implementation of information technology. While expectations of information and information technologies are high, empirical research on how such border technologies are used in practice is scarce and subsequently little is known about to what extent the envisioned benefits are actually achieved. This dissertation aims to gain more insight in the use of information and information technology in controlling mobilities in intra-Schengen border areas by using a case study of the Mobile Security Monitor as carried out by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee. Through extensive observations of border checks, focus groups with border patrol officers, interviews with Marechaussee staff members, discourse analysis of political debates and policy documentation and quantitative data, this dissertation aims to gain insight in the decision-making process on the political, organizational and street-level and the role of information and information technology therein. Show less
It seems that repeat crime victims are less likely to offer their cooperation to the police than victims who were victimized only once. This dissertation seeks to understand why this may be the... Show moreIt seems that repeat crime victims are less likely to offer their cooperation to the police than victims who were victimized only once. This dissertation seeks to understand why this may be the case and examines what crime victims value in their contact with the police. The findings reveal that crime victims are not only interested in a fair treatment, but also in investigative activities that the police may perform to solve their case. Both are important to them, because it makes them feel that they and their case are being taken seriously. Evaluations of the police response have important consequences for both perceived police legitimacy and willingness to cooperate with the police. Negative evaluations of the police response, particularly concerning a lack of investigation activities, could have detrimental effects. This applies especially to victims of violent crimes that know their offender. As a consequence, some of them may not only become reluctant to cooperate with the police, but also develop feelings of vigilantism. To prevent repeat crime victims from evading the criminal justice system it is, therefore, of utmost importance that the police avoids negative evaluations as much as possible. Show less
Dit onderzoek gaat over schriftelijke bedreigingen en e-mails die plaats- vinden tegen personen in het publieke domein, ofwel het Rijksdomein zoals dit wordt omschreven in het Stelsel van... Show moreDit onderzoek gaat over schriftelijke bedreigingen en e-mails die plaats- vinden tegen personen in het publieke domein, ofwel het Rijksdomein zoals dit wordt omschreven in het Stelsel van Bewaken en Beveiligen (Ministerie van Veiligheid en Justitie, 2013). Bij het Rijksdomein gaat het om personen van wie, en objecten of diensten waarvan, de veiligheid en hun ongestoord functioneren van nationaal belang is, zoals: de leden van het Koninklijk Huis, bewindspersonen, leden van de Eerste en Tweede Kamer, lijsttrekkers van politieke partijen, of leden van het College van procureurs-generaal. Bedreigingen kunnen gevoelens van angst of onrust bij bedreigden en hun omgeving teweegbrengen. De uitingen van bedreigingen in de richting van publieke personen kunnen ook van invloed zijn op het publieke debat en kunnen zelfs een risico vormen voor de democratische rechtsorde indien vanwege de angst voor (herhaalde) bedreigingen geen open discussie kan worden gevoerd. Het doel van dit onderzoek is tweeledig: het wil tot een betere duiding komen van dreigbrieven, en met behulp daarvan een meetinstrument ontwikkelen waarmee eventueel toekomstig crimineel gedrag van de dreig- briefschrijvers kan worden voorspeld. Op deze manier wordt een bijdrage geleverd bij het nemen van adequate maatregelen om publieke personen zo goed mogelijk te beschermen. Show less
For the millennial generation, the transition to adulthood has become increasingly heterogeneous. These changes have led to a theory and body of research referred to as emerging adulthood. This... Show moreFor the millennial generation, the transition to adulthood has become increasingly heterogeneous. These changes have led to a theory and body of research referred to as emerging adulthood. This period of life is of interest to criminologists because, as the well-known age crime curve indicates, during the early adult years the majority of young people who were engaged in delinquent behaviour as adolescents desist. Using a contemporary sample, this thesis firstly examines whether the concept of emerging adulthood is relevant to Dutch young adults, finding that, broadly speaking, it is. In an examination of the risk factors for delinquent behaviour are during emerging adulthood, parental support is found to protect against delinquency and excessive alcohol drinking is found to increase the risk of delinquency. In the remaining four chapters, the relevance of life-course theories of crime are tested. The evidence indicates that transitions into adult roles remain relevant for desistance from delinquency, but that changes in personality during this period also play a role. ‘Boomeranging’ between roles is found to increase the likelihood that young adults do not desist, and finally, achieving financial independence from parents is found to promote desistance, pointing to the importance of examining ‘new’ adult roles. Show less
This dissertation aimed to study the functioning and effectiveness of the Prevention of Recidivism Program, a prison-based rehabilitation program aimed to reduce the re-offending rates of... Show moreThis dissertation aimed to study the functioning and effectiveness of the Prevention of Recidivism Program, a prison-based rehabilitation program aimed to reduce the re-offending rates of program participants, by conducting a plan-, process and product evaluation. The results indicated that the Prevention of Recidivism program could be considered promising, since it applied methods that were considered effective based on theoretical and empirical knowledge. In practice however, it was shown that program-execution was severely hampered by a number of issues; the program had rather strict inclusion criteria; faced considerable non-participation and non-completion rates; and often allocated offenders to inappropriate treatment. In the end, the program reached a limited group of offenders, most of whom completed a standard program, with no specific treatment aimed to target the factors that initially caused their criminal behavior. Consequently, the program was only shown effective for a small group of offenders that completed a standard treatment program. The most vital program-component, criminogenic need-specific treatment modules, was not shown effective. It was therefore concluded that the Prevention of Recidivism Program had for the most part not been effective in reaching its goals. Show less