Princes Day 2025: investing in resilience, prisons, and access to justice

Our national security is under pressure. Threats are more urgent and complex than ever. Due to developments at home and abroad and military threats to national security, a budget for resilience will be available from 2027, increasing to € 70 million structurally from 2030. The cabinet wants the resilience of governments, businesses, and citizens to increase so that our society can continue to function even in exceptional situations. For 2026, an additional € 25 million has already been allocated because resilience does not wait until 2027. This includes a focus on regional and local resilience, with an initial look at emergency support points and the public campaign Think Ahead.

Without measures, the existing shortages in the prison system will increase. Therefore, for the housing issues at the Custodial Institutions Agency (DJI), € 35 million has been allocated starting in 2028. From 2031, this will be structurally € 50 million. This is partly intended for the opening of the Juvenile Justice Institution (JJI) in Harreveld (Oost Gelre). It is expected that this institution can be phased into use in 2027. In total, 70 places will be available. Young people who are currently forced to be in a regular prison due to capacity shortages will soon be able to go to a JJI. This way, cells will also become available for other convicted persons.

Everyone facing legal problems has the right to legal aid. Even if they cannot afford it or do not know how to find their way to court. For these people, social lawyers are an important access point to justice. This profession is under pressure due to aging and attrition. Therefore, from 2027, an additional € 30 million will be structurally invested to strengthen social advocacy. Already in 2026, € 15 million will be used to adjust the points awarded to social lawyers for cases. The allowances and the base rate per point will also be increased, as well as the travel expense reimbursement for mediators. In addition to investments in social advocacy, an additional € 50 million will be invested in the judiciary. This money will go, among other things, to family and juvenile law: more hearing time for family and juvenile cases, the standard hearing of children from 8 years old, the deployment of pedagogical staff, and consolidating successive cases of a family with the same juvenile judge.