Naar aanleiding van de inwerkingtreding van het Besluit Adviescollege levenslanggestraften per 1 maart 2017, een eerste stap in een procedure tot tussentijdse toetsing van de levenslange... Show moreNaar aanleiding van de inwerkingtreding van het Besluit Adviescollege levenslanggestraften per 1 maart 2017, een eerste stap in een procedure tot tussentijdse toetsing van de levenslange gevangenisstraf, wordt gekeken naar de Verenigde Staten. Daar wordt de mogelijkheid tot ‘parole’, een met de tussentijdse toetsing vergelijkbaar systeem, al lange tijd toegepast. In dit artikel wordt ingegaan op de vraag welke lessen geleerd kunnen worden van de praktijk van de zogenaamde ‘Parole Board hearings’. Om deze vraag te beantwoorden wordt ingegaan op de achtergrond en werking van parole en de wijze waarin parole in de praktijk tot uitvoer wordt gebracht. Daarbij wordt aandacht besteed aan de samenstelling van Parole Boards, de invloed van nabestaanden op de parolebeslissing, het moment waarop die beslissing wordt genomen en de wijze waarop re-integratie na parole vorm krijgt. Op basis van de valkuilen die in de Amerikaanse praktijk worden aangetroffen, worden aandachtspunten voor de Nederlandse procedure geformuleerd. Show less
De afgelopen jaren is het aantal opleggingen van levenslange gevangenisstraf drastisch gestegen. Daarnaast heeft er een wijziging van het beleid rond de tenuitvoerlegging plaatsgevonden, waardoor... Show moreDe afgelopen jaren is het aantal opleggingen van levenslange gevangenisstraf drastisch gestegen. Daarnaast heeft er een wijziging van het beleid rond de tenuitvoerlegging plaatsgevonden, waardoor de levenslange straf veranderde van een straf die kon eindigen met een voorwaardelijke invrijheidstelling, in een straf die in beginsel daadwerkelijk levenslang zou moeten duren. Wetenschappelijke publicaties over levenslang in Nederland hebben zich tot nu toe vooral gericht op het juridische kader – waarbij het sociaalwetenschappelijk/gedragskundig kader onderbelicht is gebleven. Deze pilotstudie heeft als doel inzicht te vergroten in de detentiebeleving van (levens)langgestraften. Hiertoe zijn 7 levenslanggestraften en 7 langgestraften geïnterviewd, die verbleven in penitentiaire inrichtingen verspreid over Nederland. Met deze studie vragen we aandacht voor de uitzonderlijke gedragskundige problematiek onder een onderbelichte gevangenispopulatie. Show less
In recent decades, the number of long-term detainees held worldwide has increased significantly. Academics and policy makers have begun to challenge the widespread use and effectiveness of such... Show more In recent decades, the number of long-term detainees held worldwide has increased significantly. Academics and policy makers have begun to challenge the widespread use and effectiveness of such severe sentences, however. This article aims to shed light on the role of human rights in imposing and executing long-term custodial sentences. There appears to be tension between ensuring that human rights are respected and provision of security through the incapacitation of offenders. This tension can only be understood properly in the context of contemporary risk-management associated with increased punitiveness. Show less
De rol van publieke belangstelling na de vrijlating van ex-gedetineerden is tot op heden veelal verwaarloosd in eerder wetenschappelijk onderzoek. Dit vormde het startpunt van deze verkennende... Show moreDe rol van publieke belangstelling na de vrijlating van ex-gedetineerden is tot op heden veelal verwaarloosd in eerder wetenschappelijk onderzoek. Dit vormde het startpunt van deze verkennende studie. Aan de hand van een select aantal interviews hebben we een aantal aspecten van de problematiek van deze groep ex-gedetineerden in kaart proberen te brengen. Show less
Previous studies reveal an elevated suicide rate for anaesthesiologists. We sought to examine anaesthesiologist suicide mortality and its underlying explanatory factors. Two studies were conducted... Show morePrevious studies reveal an elevated suicide rate for anaesthesiologists. We sought to examine anaesthesiologist suicide mortality and its underlying explanatory factors. Two studies were conducted in order to establish the suicide mortality figures among Dutch anaesthesiologists and to investigate life events, workrelated stress, psychological problems and alcohol- and drug abuse in relation to suicidal ideation. The results suggest that suicide mortality in anaesthesiologists in The Netherlands is elevated, and comparable to that in other Western countries, but small numbers prevent robust testing of this difference. Anaesthesiologists are more likely than the general population to experience sleeping problems and suicidal ideation; male anaesthesiologists are more likely to suffer from depression. The prevalence of suicide among this population may be related to a high prevalence of psychological problems, in addition to the knowledge and availability of means. Areas of suicide prevention among this group are discussed. Show less
Ganpat, S.M.; Liem, M.C.A.; Leun, J.P. van der; Nieuwbeerta, P. 2014
Previous research suggests that social relations, in particular the forming of family ties and employment (social factors), self-efficacy (personal factors), and therapeutic interventions ... Show morePrevious research suggests that social relations, in particular the forming of family ties and employment (social factors), self-efficacy (personal factors), and therapeutic interventions (institutional factors) constitute main contributors in post-release success. These studies, however, have largely been based on general delinquents serving relatively short prison terms. This study aims to shed light on the influence of social, personal, and institutional factors on post-release successversusfailure among paroled lifers.We conducted in-depth life-history interviews with 64 individuals who had served a life sentence, who were either re-incarcerated for another crime or parole violation, or were currently out on parole. The role of social factors in desistance among long-term incarcerated offenders was minimal. Rather, self-efficacy appeared to be a key element in post-release success. These findings suggest that research based on short-term incarcerated offenders cannot be directly translated to long-term incarcerated offenders. This group does not experience the same traditional turning points, such as establishing family ties and employment. Accordingly, long-term prisoners may go through a different process post-release that determines their successversusfailure compared to general delinquents who serve shorter sentences. Show less
Previous research suggests that social relations, in particular the forming of family ties and employment (social factors), self-efficacy (personal factors), and therapeutic interventions ... Show morePrevious research suggests that social relations, in particular the forming of family ties and employment (social factors), self-efficacy (personal factors), and therapeutic interventions (institutional factors) constitute main contributors in post-release success. These studies, however, have largely been based on general delinquents serving relatively short prison terms. This study aims to shed light on the influence of social, personal, and institutional factors on post-release success versus failure among paroled lifers. We conducted in-depth life-history interviews with 64 individuals who had served a life sentence, who were either re-incarcerated for another crime or parole violation, or were currently out on parole. The role of social factors in desistance among long-term incarcerated offenders was minimal. Rather, self-efficacy appeared to be a key element in post-release success. These findings suggest that research based on short-term incarcerated offenders cannot be directly translated to long-term incarcerated offenders. This group does not experience the same traditional turning points, such as establishing family ties and employment. Accordingly, long-term prisoners may go through a different process post-release that determines their success versus failure compared to general delinquents who serve shorter sentences. Show less
Liem, M.C.A.; Levin, Jack; Holland, Curtis; Fox, James A. 2013
Homicides followed by the suicide of the perpetrator constitute a serious form of interpersonal violence. Until now no study has directly compared homicide–suicides to other violent deaths from... Show moreHomicides followed by the suicide of the perpetrator constitute a serious form of interpersonal violence. Until now no study has directly compared homicide–suicides to other violent deaths from multiple countries, allowing for a better understanding of the nature of these violent acts. Using country-specific data, this study describes and compares the incidence and patterns of homicide–suicide as well as the relationship between homicide–suicide, homicide, suicide and domestic homicide in the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United States. The results indicate that cross-nationally, homicide–suicides are more likely than other types of lethal violence to involve a female victim, multiple victims, take place in a residential setting and to be committed by a firearm. Although homicide–suicides display many similarities across the different countries, differences exist regarding age and the use of firearms in the offence. This study indicates that homicides followed by suicides differ from both homicides and suicides in similar ways internationally. Cross-national differences in the availability of firearms may explain the international variation of homicide–suicide rates and patterns. Show less
