Amersfoort, 7 May 2009
Detention Concept Lelystad (DCL) is an initiative from the Dutch Ministry of Justice. Objective of the project is to reduce the total cost per detainee and to improve the safety of prison staff. The aggression detection system of Sound Intelligence is one of the innovative techniques implemented in DCL. The conclusions in the final evaluation report are very positive. The aggression detection system performed well and proved to be important in the cells-for-6 concept.

The detention concept is characterised by 25 cells-for-6 (150 inmates) and the use of electronic aids to allow for a lower number of staff members, without jeopardising the safety of staff, inmates and/or society at large. The system for aggression detection that alerts staff before situations escalate is one of the technical aids used here. 

The Research and Documentation Centre (WODC) of the Dutch Ministry of Justice commissioned Significant, a consultancy firm, to collaborate with DSP-Groep in evaluating the Detention Concept Lelystad (DCL). The study took place from May to November 2008.

The researchers concluded that the system works very well. Furthermore they stated that ‘with the support of the systems (especially the tracking & tracing system and the aggression detection system) the number of staff could effectively be halved without this leading to any problems in terms of staff safety’.

For details on the evaluation:
‘Evaluatie van de verlengde pilotperiode van Detentieconcept Lelystad (DCL)’, Wouter Jongebreur (Significant), Manja Abraham (DSP-groep), Oberon Nauta (DSP-groep), 23 December 2008, Barneveld.  

Source:
The Research and Documentation Centre (WODC) of the Dutch Ministry of Justice.