By C1 Staff
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — The Times of India is reporting an unusual circumstance in Dutch jails – the fact that there are more correctional officers than inmates for the first time.
Crime rates have fallen slightly in recent years, but not enough to explain the sudden lack of inmates. Many Dutch people think sentences for violent offenders are too light.
“We’re studying the reason for the decline,” said Justice ministry spokesman Jochgem van Opstal.
In 2008, there were around 15,000 inmates in a country of 17 million people. As of March of this year, there were just 9,710 inmates remaining, compared to 9,914 officers.
The ministry is also in the process of closing prisons and cutting 3,500 staff. Last week a labor union slammed the cuts, saying they were leading to “staffing shortages.” This was rejected by the government, who said violent incidents at prisons have been declining.