Dutch Prisons to Shut Down Amid Reform Plans

The Dutch government has confirmed that a number of prison facilities will be closed in the coming months. The decision comes as part of a broader review of the country’s correctional infrastructure, aimed at improving efficiency and adapting to evolving crime trends. Officials said the shutdowns will be implemented in phases to ensure the safe relocation of inmates and staff. The move has attracted attention from observers of criminal‑justice reforms across Europe, who note that the Netherlands is seeking to modernise its penal system.