British jails are at a breaking point – here’s how the Dutch halved their prison population

Between 2005 and 2015 the Dutch prison population was indeed reduced by 44%. Much was to do with a drop in serious crime which led to fewer people going to court, and ending up in prison. But shorter sentences are also part of the picture, as are alternatives to prison, and more specifically tailored mental health support for those offenders who need it. Above: The Koepelgevangenis prison, which housed Nazi war criminals in Breda, Netherlands, is now used for events.