New Care Measure in Criminal Law Helps People with Confused Behavior and High Security Risk Faster

State Secretary for Justice and Security Arno Rutte: “Sometimes punishment alone is not enough to keep our society safe. For a small group of people who pose a danger to themselves or others, appropriate help can be more effective. With this measure, we give judges extra tools to provide that help. This makes our society safer.”

With the new care measure, judges will soon be able to order someone to be admitted to a secure forensic clinic for up to two years. There, the person receives the intensive care needed while street safety is better ensured. The underlying issues and offenses committed by people in the target group are often too minor for admission to TBS (terbeschikkingstelling), but too severe for placement in regular care. This concerns people who exhibit confused behavior, have care needs, and pose a high security risk. The new care measure will go into consultation in the first half of 2026.

The new care measure is part of the Work Agenda for connecting forensic and regular care, in which the Ministries of Justice and Security and Health, Welfare and Sport collaborate with field parties to better align regular and forensic care.