Lelystad, 17 January 2006 by Peter Groenendijk

Prison Guard Eric (37) can hardly wait. The day after tomorrow he will start working at the new division of the criminal institution Lelystad. "This is the most modern prison in the world", he says proudly. Whether the 150 prisoners, who will be placed in this prison this week, are as glad as Eric could be considered questionable. The institution is meant for people with a punishment that lasts four months as a maximum. Indeed, every criminal housed here has access to a multi-functional display that contains a television and telephone. But that same criminal will be living with five others in one cell, will be wearing a tie around his wrist that records every movement and that person also knows that expressions of aggression will be detected by a 'listening camera'. Big Brother in prison.

Picture: Cor de Cock

The goal of the concept was saving money. In this prison, fewer guards are needed and that causes a difference in costs: a day in prison for one person normally costs 140 euro's, while in Lelystad this same day costs 105 euro's.  Staying in Lelystad doesn't seem attractive but according to guard Eric a lot of prisoners would like to sit out their punishment in the new cells. "As a prisoner, you get a bigger number of recreational hours and more time to call home. This is very important for the people staying in prison." These privileges could also be lossed in case of misbehavior. When a prisoner behaves well, he will get more time to call or extra TV-channels.

Six prisoners in one cell: it seems like provoking aggression. Eric thinks this is also a misconception. "The prisoners in here spend a lot of time outside their cells. Moreover, in cells with only two prisoners more incidents happen than in cells with a bigger number of people. In a group of six there will always be someone who will take his responsibility and soothes fights."

Source: Algemeen Dagblad, 17 January 2006