A lawyer who stands up for your rights during detention

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Free initial assessment · Legal aid may be available in many cases

Watch the deadline

Short deadlines apply to complaints (beklag) and appeals. As a rule, a written complaint must be submitted within seven days of the decision. Appeals to the Council for the Administration of Criminal Justice and Protection of Juveniles (RSJ) are also generally subject to a seven-day deadline. So do not wait if you disagree with a decision.

• Quick contact — you can call or leave your details using the contact form.
• Nationwide — we assist people in detention throughout the country.
• Clear language — we give you an honest assessment of your chances.

What can we help with?

Below are the issues we deal with most often. Is your question not listed? Please feel free to contact us.

Filing a complaint (beklag)

Do you disagree with a decision by the prison director, such as a disciplinary punishment or a measure? You can file a complaint (beklag) with the supervisory committee (commissie van toezicht).

Complaint hearing (beklagzitting)

Your complaint is heard by the complaints committee (beklagcommissie). A lawyer can speak on your behalf and make sure the right documents are available.

Appeals to the Council for the Administration of Criminal Justice and Protection of Juveniles (RSJ)

Has your complaint been dismissed as unfounded, or does the director disagree with the ruling? An appeal can then be lodged with the appeals committee of the Council for the Administration of Criminal Justice and Protection of Juveniles (RSJ).

Transfers

Do you want to move to another institution, or are you being transferred against your will? You can lodge an objection or an appeal against a placement decision (selectiebeslissing).

Progression through detention stages and leave

Has your reintegration leave been refused, or are you not progressing through the stages of detention? There are often more options than people in detention realise.

Mediation

Sometimes a complaint is not necessary, and mediation through the visiting member of the supervisory committee (maandcommissaris) is quicker and more effective.

How it works

1. You contact us

You call or leave your details. Family members can also contact us on behalf of someone in detention.

2. We assess the case

We request the decision and any relevant documents, and assess whether a complaint or appeal has a chance of success.

3. We handle the proceedings

We submit the written complaint or appeal and speak on your behalf at the hearing.

Read more about how we work

Rulings by the Council for the Administration of Criminal Justice and Protection of Juveniles (RSJ) and complaints committees (beklagcommissies)

We closely follow rulings on detention law and explain them in plain language. This helps you understand what matters in practice.

View the rulings we discuss

Support for families too

Are you the partner, parent or another family member of someone in detention? You can call us too. We do need the detained person's own consent to handle a case, but we can explain how things work in the meantime.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a charge for the first contact?

No. You can call us for an initial assessment of your situation. We only make clear arrangements about costs when we start handling the case.

Can I call if I already have a lawyer?

Yes. You decide who represents you. You can use a different lawyer for complaint (beklag) or appeal proceedings from the lawyer handling your criminal case.

Do you work nationwide?

Yes, we assist people in detention throughout the Netherlands, in prisons, remand centres and other institutions.

This page draws on the expertise of Mr. S.P.C. (Stan) Broekmans, a specialist in detention law at Hameleers Antonides Advocaten. Do you have a question about your own situation? Please get in touch; an initial assessment is free.