Germany and the Netherlands have significantly lower incarceration rates
than the United States and make much greater use of non-custodial
penalties, particularly for nonviolent crimes. In addition, conditions
and practices within correctional facilities in these countries—grounded
in the principle of “normalization” whereby life in prison is to
resemble as much as possible life in the community—also differ markedly
from the U.S. In February 2013—as part of the European-American Prison
Project funded by the California-based Prison Law Office and managed by
Vera—delegations of corrections and justice system leaders from
Colorado, Georgia, and Pennsylvania together visited Germany and the
Netherlands to tour prison facilities, speak with corrections officials
and researchers, and interact with inmates. Although variations in the
definitions of crimes, specific punishments, and recidivism limit the
availability of comparable justice statistics, this report describes the
considerably different approaches to sentencing and corrections these
leaders observed in Europe and the impact this exposure has had (and
continues to have) on the policy debate and practices in their home
states. It also explores some of the project’s practical implications
for reform efforts throughout the United States to reduce incarceration
and improve conditions of confinement while maintaining public safety.
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