Prison

Most clients in prison are men. Just over half of those who are sent to prison have been in prison before. Inmates are people of all ages, from young persons to pensioners.

During the time in prison, it is the responsibility of the Prison and Probation Service to prepare the inmate for a better life on release, through training, work and various treatment programs.

Substance abuse and criminality are closely related social factors. The Prison and Probation Service is developing validated programs to reduce recidivism and drug abuse and it has also built up treatment and motivational departments at the prisons to help clients overcome their addictions.

Conditional release

Persons serving fixed-term sentences are conditionally released when 2/3 of the sentence have been served. Inmates may not be conditionally released until they have served at least one month of their sentence. Likewise, inmates may not be conditionally released if the sanction is not permitted, i.e. in cases where the sentence is probation in association with prison or where a sentence is a transformation of fines.
Those released are subject to a probation period corresponding to the remaining term of their sentence, although a minimum of one year.
During the test period, the released person can be placed under supervision.
In 2001, the close supervision release system was introduced. This gives inmates the opportunity to leave the institution a maximum of four months before commencement of the conditional release period. Under this system, the inmate is kept under close supervision by means of electronic tagging (an electronic tag attached to the ankle).