This editorial offers an introduction to the current issue.

By expanding preventive powers, the Dutch criminal justice system is increasingly aimed at detecting risky people and groups as soon as possible. This so-called actuarial justice is accompanied by a great deal of discretionary power in the hands of those who have to enforce the law, bearing the risk that such powers may be carried out (in part) on the basis of generalizations relating to race, ethnicity, religion or nationality instead of on the basis of individual behavior and/or objective evidence. By presenting the results of an exploratory study into the perceptions of minorities with regard to racial profiling, the main conclusion of this article is that there is a clear necessity for further empirical research into this area.

One of the defining characteristics of so-called ‘loverboys’ is their exploitation of victims in any possible way, including forcing these exploited women to commit crimes. In this way, victims become criminal offenders. After a critical review of the use of the term ‘loverboy’, the first part of this article discusses the responsibility of the Dutch probation service in addressing the problem. The second part describes various ways in which probation officers come into contact with this particular group of offenders and how this contact could then be maintained.

Early this year, a bill was introduced proposing mandatory minimum sentences in the Netherlands. Despite harsh criticism from within the legal complex, the bill has not been withdrawn, instead its scope has been broadened. This article states that the reasons given for the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences have no empirical foundation and that the objectives of the bill will not be reached: mandatory minimum sentences will not contribute to the prevention of crime. The reason for the introduction of the bill is nothing less than a textbook example of penal populism.

In a column a journal editor or an author expresses his or her opinion on a particular subject.

The author describes new developments of criminal justice in practice

There are many situations in which people with a learning disability encounter law enforcement. Early recognition of their learning disability by police and justice authorities is necessary to ensure an appropriate manner of communication and handling that takes into account their limitations and abilities. Yet, without special knowledge, it is not easy to recognize the learning disability, especially if the limitations of the disability are mild. Diagnosing a learning disability requires taking into account several aspects, and a simply determination of the IQ is definitely insufficient. This article deals with the specific characteristics of people with a learning disability in their contacts with the police and the justice system. Furthermore recommendations are given as to how to interrogate them in a respectful and correct way.

The Dutch probation service has some indications that a substantial part of the probationers have intellectual disabilities. However, there is a lack of reliable information on the exact numbers. Three issues concerning probationers with intellectual disabilities are discussed, that ask further research and development in the field of probation. The first issue is the necessity to improve screening and assessment. Reliable and valid assessment of an intellectual disability is important to match interventions and supervision to the possibilities and skills of probationers. A second issue is the availability of interventions and policy that are suitable for probationers with intellectual disabilities. Some examples are given on offender supervision. Besides that, probation officers must have enough knowledge and skills to supervise this group in an effective way. A third issue is the co-operation of the probation service with mental healthcare.

Signs that a more or less substantial group of people in Dutch prison experience problems as a result of an intellectual disability, suggest that it makes sense to track this group and subsequently offer them the support they need. The reason this does not happen in practice is a lack of knowledge on various fronts. As it is, it is not clear how large the group of people with an intellectual disability in Dutch prisons is, what problems they face, and what could aid them. This article highlights what we do know and what we do not know with regards to this group.

This editorial offers an introduction to the current issue.

Casefile analysis concerning serious youth offenders under a mandatory treatment order in The Netherlands showed that, amongst youth offenders of various IQ-levels (IQ < 70, IQ 70-85, and IQ > 85), behavioural and mental health problems and social background characteristics are in many respects very similar. However, differences found in for example social skills and relationships and the needs inherent with having an intellectual disability (ID) have important implications for the way treatment is offered. As a large proportion of the serious youth offenders has an ID, this is important to consider. Furthermore, as intelligence has a dynamic aspect, the authors advise to occasionally reassess these youths.

In a column a journal editor or an author expresses his or her opinion on a particular subject.

Since 2003, Dutch juveniles on remand who go to school or have work can be held in ‘night detention’: they attend their school or work during the day and spend the nights and weekends in a young offender institution. The authors examine how this form of youth detention relates to basic principles in juvenile criminal law and penitentiary law. They argue that based on international standards stating that juveniles should be detained with as few restraints as possible, night detention should be made available if circumstances allow it not only for juveniles on remand, but for juveniles subject to any form of detention.

The author describes new developments of criminal justice in practice.

In memoriam Rob Blekxtoon

This editorial offers an introduction to the current issue.

Recent scientific studies have shown that a major part of juvenile delinquency is due to the incomplete development of adolescents and will stop before the age of 23. The Convention on the Rights of the Child and the accompanying General Comment Children’s rights in juvenile justice give detailed guidelines about juvenile justice. This article focuses on an advice of the Council for the Administration of Criminal Justice and Protection of Juveniles, according to which both of these developments require adjustment of the lower and upper age limit of criminal responsibility for juvenile offenders and justify a special criminal law for adolescents.

To what extent have the Dutch police a distinct culture that corresponds with the image of police culture as it has been described in American studies of the 1960s and 1970s? A survey among 260 police officers shows that the Dutch police culture has a strong emphasis on mission, action, and cynicism. Other well-known elements, like conservatism and machismo proved to be less important. In accordance with the stress-coping theory police culture proved to be stronger if police officers were confronted with internal and external stress. Police culture is positively related with a crime fighting police style, and negatively with a service/guardian style. No relations could be found with a professional police style.