Decentralization: a shift with consequences
“In 2007, I was still working closely with the ministry for the procurement of care for young people within the criminal justice chain,” Nadine begins. “At that time, the ministry was responsible for both the implementation of the juvenile justice chain and the juvenile care used for these young people. Lines of communication were short and care was less fragmented. The availability of care was less of a problem at that time.”
With the devolution of 2015, however, this changed dramatically. Municipalities were given responsibility for care, including that for young people within the criminal justice system. “The idea was that because of their proximity and knowledge of the local context, municipalities could provide better customized care,” Nadine explains. “The Youth and Safety East Netherlands program responds to this by connecting criminal justice partners and municipalities, with the aim of preventing juvenile crime and supporting young people.”
The forgotten group
Although devolution was intended to improve help and support for young people and their families, a particularly vulnerable group of young people was often overlooked: those in the criminal justice system. “These youth constitute only 3% of the total target group within youth care, but often face complex problems,” says Nadine. “Municipalities have more experience with voluntary youth care and less with forensic care and the criminal justice chain, so these youth often do not get the desired support they need.”
Nadine emphasizes that it is not only about providing care, but also about preventing juvenile delinquency. “The Youth and Safety East Netherlands program helps with this by improving the cooperation between care and criminal justice and ensuring that these young people get the care they deserve, even before they enter the criminal justice system.”
The importance of collaboration
Nadine sees cooperation between municipalities and the criminal justice chain as essential for success. “Municipalities now have responsibility for youth care, but often lack the expertise to properly procure forensic care,” she says. “This is where cooperation with criminal justice partners comes in. Youth and Safety East Netherlands focuses on strengthening this cooperation.”
She further points out that prevention also plays an important role in the program. “Municipalities are already working with neighborhood teams to intervene early and prevent school dropout, a key predictor of criminal behavior. But we also need to make sure there is a seamless transition after punishment because help and support is needed even after that. The program is working with partners to find the right structure to make this possible.”
A forward-looking vision
What will it take to address today’s challenges? “We need to build a robust cooperation between municipalities – social domain as well as public order and security – and the juvenile justice partners,” Nadine says with conviction. “This means that municipalities are not only responsible for help and support in a preventive framework, but also during a measure and aftercare. This requires deeper knowledge of the target group and a joint approach.”
The Youth and Safety East Netherlands program offers concrete tools for this. “We bring all parties involved together, from police to care institutions, to give young people a new chance at a better life after their sentence,” says Nadine. “By joining forces, we prevent young people from falling out of the system and offer them the right guidance to rebuild their lives.”
Why this work is important
For Nadine, working to connect criminal justice and healthcare is more than a professional assignment; it is her personal mission. “The Netherlands is unique,” she explains. “Even after committing a crime, young people here get a second chance. We punish, but we also offer help. That balance between justice and care is crucial, and that’s what I work for every day. We need to look beyond punishment or care alone. These young people deserve more. By working together, we can give them a better future.”
The way forward with Youth and Safety East Netherlands
The Youth and Safety East Netherlands program was developed by and for policymakers and health professionals involved in preventing juvenile crime. “The coming years will be all about cooperation,” Nadine foresees. “Only by combining our expertise can we provide the right care for the most vulnerable youth. This program provides a clear path to an inclusive society where we give young people a real chance at a new future.” Want to stay informed about this program? Then you can follow the LinkedIn network.
