Why Can't We Be Like the Dutch?

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TWA

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http://vorige.nrc.nl/international/...rlands_to_close_prisons_for_lack_of_criminals

Netherlands to close prisons for lack of ciminals

The Dutch justice ministry has announced it will close eight prisons and cut 1,200 jobs in the prison system. A decline in crime has left many cells empty.

During the 1990s the Netherlands faced a shortage of prison cells, but a decline in crime has since led to overcapacity in the prison system. The country now has capacity for 14,000 prisoners but only 12,000 detainees.

Deputy justice minister Nebahat Albayrak announced on Tuesday that eight prisons will be closed, resulting in the loss of 1,200 jobs. Natural redundancy and other measures should prevent any forced lay-offs, the minister said.

The overcapacity is a result of the declining crime rate, which the ministry's research department expects to continue for some time.

Some reprieve might come from a deal with Belgium, which is facing overpopulation in its prisons. The two countries are working out an agreement to house Belgian prisoners in Dutch prisons. Some five-hundred Belgian prisoners could be transferred to the Tilburg prison by 2010.

The Netherlands would get 30 million euros in the deal, and it will allow the closing of the prisons in Rotterdam and Veenhuizen to be postponed until 2012.
 
Oh no, not enough people are stealing a loaf of bread? What has this world come to?
 
Oh no, not enough people are stealing a loaf of bread? What has this world come to?

In America, this would be deemed a problem in the privatized prison industry. What to do? Invent more laws and create more criminals! Brilliant!
 
Wow....maybe it's too darn cold over there to commit any mischief?....
 
Wish we had that problem here! Seems to be the other way around. Anyone know what the laws are like there compared to here? I'm curious.
 
Wish we had that problem here! Seems to be the other way around. Anyone know what the laws are like there compared to here? I'm curious.

Well, for starters, prostitution and naturally derived drugs are legal (pot, mushrooms, hash, etc). So that could explain why their prisons aren't stuffed with nonviolent offenders, but you'd think this would create problems in their society? Well, we'd be wrong on that. Holland has much lower incidents of drug addiction, STD's, teenage pregnancy, infidelity, divorce, etc.--basically any argument you can throw at why these things should be banned goes out the window in Holland.
 
Well, for starters, prostitution and naturally derived drugs are legal (pot, mushrooms, hash, etc). So that could explain why their prisons aren't stuffed with nonviolent offenders, but you'd think this would create problems in their society? Well, we'd be wrong on that. Holland has much lower incidents of drug addiction, STD's, teenage pregnancy, infidelity, divorce, etc.--basically any argument you can throw at why these things should be banned goes out the window in Holland.

This is what I meant by the government being too big and having too many laws. It complicates everything. People should be put away for committing dangerous and harmful crimes. But is it absolutely necessary to imprison someone for smoking a joint?

It doesn't make any sense. Prisons are there to protect the public, but they are not protecting the public by putting the potheads away.
 
Well, for starters, prostitution and naturally derived drugs are legal (pot, mushrooms, hash, etc). So that could explain why their prisons aren't stuffed with nonviolent offenders, but you'd think this would create problems in their society? Well, we'd be wrong on that. Holland has much lower incidents of drug addiction, STD's, teenage pregnancy, infidelity, divorce, etc.--basically any argument you can throw at why these things should be banned goes out the window in Holland.

Correct. I have friends from Holland and I notice how laid back and thoughtful they are. I hope I am not over-generalizing. :P
 
In America, this would be deemed a problem in the privatized prison industry. What to do? Invent more laws and create more criminals! Brilliant!

Most laws are not designed to prevent crime, but to encourage it.

Pot, harmless but illegal. Lots of people in jail for this.

Tax havens, designed only for people who have millions of dollars.

"Patriot" Act, anything but, defies clearly defined constitutional rights.

NDAA, anyone can be nabbed off the street without due process - unless of course you have millions of dollars and are part of The Man's club. Also defies clearly defined constitutional rights.

IN GOD WE TRUST printed on money despite the fact that money is a kind of state document, and it is therefore unquestionably unconstitutional to print religious statements on.

Media designed to bamboozle, titillate and placate the masses.

Gotta love America.
 
Well, for starters, prostitution and naturally derived drugs are legal (pot, mushrooms, hash, etc). So that could explain why their prisons aren't stuffed with nonviolent offenders, but you'd think this would create problems in their society? Well, we'd be wrong on that. Holland has much lower incidents of drug addiction, STD's, teenage pregnancy, infidelity, divorce, etc.--basically any argument you can throw at why these things should be banned goes out the window in Holland.

Yep. :thumb:
 
This is what I meant by the government being too big and having too many laws. It complicates everything. People should be put away for committing dangerous and harmful crimes. But is it absolutely necessary to imprison someone for smoking a joint?

It doesn't make any sense. Prisons are there to protect the public, but they are not protecting the public by putting the potheads away.

Well, most of the people who deride big government in this country would claim that European nations like Holland are perfect examples of what the United States should not become, because they have strong central governments and socialist-leaning public policy,etc. etc.

I guess they're just faking their peaceful, fulfilling existence?
 
Correct. I have friends from Holland and I notice how laid back and thoughtful they are. I hope I am not over-generalizing. :P

I notice the same thing in my friends from northern Europe and Slavic countries.
 
Well, most of the people who deride big government in this country would claim that European nations like Holland are perfect examples of what the United States should not become, because they have strong central governments and socialist-leaning public policy,etc. etc.

I guess they're just faking their peaceful, fulfilling existence?

If anything, the US government should take after Europe. People live better over there than they do in the USA.
 
If anything, the US government should take after Europe. People live better over there than they do in the USA.

Please define "better."
 
They live longer, they are happier, their dishes are better, they are not as materialistic.

But, but, we have bigger cars and TVs! (And toilets, too, since apparently we have fatter asses and take bigger shits. USA! USA! USA!)
 
But, but, we have bigger cars and TVs! (And toilets, too, since apparently we have fatter asses and take bigger shits. USA! USA! USA!)

... and not to mention that the jingoism isn't as rampant over there as well.
 
I recall a friend of mine saying he was going to Amsterdam...when I quizzed him about it...he said "all the Pot I want to smoke."....Legally.....Am wondering about the Lung Cancer over there?
 
I recall a friend of mine saying he was going to Amsterdam...when I quizzed him about it...he said "all the Pot I want to smoke."....Legally.....Am wondering about the Lung Cancer over there?

Poison-infested cigarettes are much worse.
 
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