Today, May 21, we at the Judicial Institutions Service (DJI) pause to recognize the dedication and strength of volunteers. Besides the annual national volunteer day on December 7, this is an extra moment to express our appreciation for their important work. It has become a fixed tradition within DJI to spotlight our volunteers on this day.
Volunteers play an indispensable role in supporting detainees. They provide a listening ear, give attention, and offer practical support. In doing so, they contribute not only to the well-being of detainees but also to a better preparation for their return to society.
For the social network of offenders – parents, partners, and children – volunteers are often an important pillar of support. Even after detention, their involvement remains significant.
Appreciation and Development
The Volunteer Day is not only a day of appreciation but also of meeting and knowledge sharing. Recently, the new policy vision and subsidy scheme for volunteer work within the prison system was presented and offered to the House of Representatives. This vision centers on collaboration with volunteers and views their contribution as a valuable addition to the professional guidance from DJI.
Important Focus Points from the Renewed Vision
- Structural collaboration between DJI and volunteer organizations;
- widespread deployability of volunteers, both during detention and in the aftercare phase;
- the importance of safety, reliability, and expertise;
- more room for customization, so that volunteer work better aligns with the needs of detainees;
- a suitable subsidy scheme that supports organizations in their work and collaboration with DJI.
Read more about this here.
Stronger Together
During this day, inspiring practical examples will also be shared. Various organizations are represented, such as Humanitas, Exodus, Prison Care Netherlands, and the PrisonWatch Foundation. Of course, there are many more organizations and individual volunteers who dedicate themselves every day within DJI – their involvement is indispensable and deserves all praise.
Want to Become a Volunteer?
If you also want to become a volunteer but dont know where to start, you dont need to contact an organization directly. The National Team D&R of DJI is happy to help you on your way. Send an email to teamdenr@dji.minjus.nl for more information about volunteer organizations that are active within the penitentiary institutions. This way, you can discover which form of volunteer work suits you best.