Guidance

Frequently asked questions for British nationals detained in The Netherlands

Updated 5 February 2025

How do I send money to my friend/relative?

Family or friends can transfer money to the prison. This information is normally on the prison website (only in Dutch) however, you can request this information in writing or by calling the administration office at the prison.

Important: if the transfer is being made from the UK, you will require the following information:

• IBAN bank account number
• BIC number of the prison bank account
• prison number
• make note in transfer of your initials and surname
• make note of prison location

The money I sent hasn’t reached my friend/relative?

The transfer of money can take multiple days to reach the detainee due to this being an international bank transfer. If you are concerned that the money has not reached your loved one, please contact the prison in writing or call using the contact number on their website.

My friend/relative has move to a different detention facility, will their money be transferred over?

When someone is arrested in The Netherlands, it is common for them to be moved to another facility to serve their sentence. Especially if they are arrested at Schiphol Airport. When a loved one is moved to another detention facility, the money in their account will not be transferred with them.

How do I send clothes to my friend/relative?

The process of sending clothes to a detainee varies from prison to prison. This information can be found on the prison website. It is common that the detainee must apply for this themselves via an import/export form. Family or other relations can usually drop off entries when visiting the detainee. Usually, the person delivering the goods must identify themselves with a valid form of identification. Unfortunately, non-notified goods will not usually be accepted, therefore, please ensure that you note every specific item that you wish to import.

Please be aware that you could be required to pay import/export customs charges. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the sending company that you used.

How do I visit my friend/relative?

Visitors are welcome in correctional institutions. Children under the age of 12 are only allowed entry when accompanied by an adult. Some institutions may have an age limit of 16 for visitors in the high security prisons.

The visiting options may differ per correctional institution, depending on the situation in the building. For more specific information based on the location of your loved one, this information can be found on the prison website.

My friend/relative only gets ‘X’ amount of hours out of their cell a day, is this normal?

Currently in the Netherlands, there is no law that states how many hours per day prisoners may be locked up in their cell. The law and regulations on the day program only provide frameworks per week.

There are different ‘programs’ that your loved one may be on, depending on their behaviour in prison. A basic program has a minimum of 42,5 hours per week and in those hours, there are minimum 22,5 hours per week for activities outside the cell. If there is no activity, your loved one will be locked in their cell.

A plus program has a minimum of 59 hours per week and a minimum of 28 hours per week for activities outside the cell. If there is no activity there is a possibility that your loved one can move outside the cell.

The activities can differ from doing sports, gym, outside fresh air, visit, recreation time, education, work, cooking, etc. These are global frames for the program. A standard program can differ per prison, department or per inmate.

There is a possibility that a prisoner can be placed on restrictions, with time out of their cell reduced.

If you have any further questions, please contact the correctional institution directly.

My friend/relative hasn’t got any clean clothes, why is this?

There are set times and days when family or friends may drop off clothes and other pre-agreed items at the prison. Please ask your prison for further details. Within two weeks they should receive an appointment with the social worker/case worker to discuss any help they might need, for example if you need extra clothes.
They will be offered some clothing if they do not have any and it is their choice to accept these clothes or not.

Can my friend/relative be transferred to the UK to serve their time there?

Yes, a transfer request can be applied for.

To transfer, you must:

• be a British citizen or have close family ties with the UK (normally through permanent residence in the UK).
• not be awaiting trial.
• have exhausted all appeals against your conviction and/or the length of your sentence; or have waived your right to an appeal.
• have at least 6 months of your sentence left to serve when you apply for transfer.
• have no outstanding fines or other non-custodial penalties.
• The offence you were convicted of must also be a criminal offence in the part of the UK you wish to be transferred to: England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

The authorities in the sentencing country may refuse your request. You should be aware that even if the sentencing State agrees to your transfer, then the UK authorities may also refuse your request. Reasons for this might include if you have not lived in the UK for several years and you have no close family residents there.

It is best to ask questions in individual cases to IOS and go to www.DJI.nl where the most recent contact information and opening hours are listed.

Who to send a request to in The Netherlands

The International Transfer of Criminal Judgments department (Internationale Overdracht Strafvonnissen or IOS, deal with transfers.

To contact IOS:

Call the WETS WOTS Information Line: 08807 25 963 Open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 12.00 pm. Lawyers and family members who have questions about a transfer of sentences can also call this number.

or send a letter to:

IOS, Postbus 30132, 2500 GC Den Haag

What will happen to my friend/relative’s belongings/passport whilst in detention?

Their belongings will be kept by the prison. They will receive their belongings upon release.

Will my friend/relative have a criminal record?

If you are accused of certain serious offences, such as sexual assault or drugs trafficking, we are obliged to share information about your arrest with UK police. It is therefore possible that information about this may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were to be completed by a prospective employer. There may be other circumstances in which information about you may need to be shared by ourselves or authorities in the Netherlands.

My friend/relative is on special conditions/restrictions, what does this mean?

When initially detained, they can be on restrictions depending on offence whilst investigations happen. This means there will be restriction on whom they are able to contact. It can take some weeks for the restrictions to be lifted, depending on the crimes that are involved and how extensive the investigation is.

We are unable to intervene in the judicial systems and the decision on special conditions is made by the public prosecution service. Should you have any questions about this, please contact your friend/relative’s lawyer.

If you would like to know more about the restrictions, please contact the correctional institution directly.

My friend/relative is in isolation/solitary confinement, what does this mean?

Isolation/Solitary confinement might be a result of any restrictions they are held on. They will get the opportunity to go outside for fresh air and some time to clean their cell and for hygienic purposes. There may be no possibility to take part in the regular programme because that takes place in groups.

Isolation/Solitary confinement occurs when an individual is sanctioned due to their behaviour or if it is necessary for their own safety.

Isolation/Solitary confinement is limited to 14 days; however, this can be prolonged if the situation and the risk to themselves, the guards or other prisoners stay the same.