Showing papers by "Dutch Ministry of Justice published in 2012"
22 Oct 2012
TL;DR: The wayData is used by a department, the way data is obtained, how data is stored, and the suitability of data to become open, are found to be crucial indicators for open data release.
Abstract: Due to expected benefits such as citizen participation and innovation, the release of Public Sector Information is getting increased attention on various levels of government. However, currently, data release by governments is still novel, with little experience and knowledge thus far about the benefits and barriers of release. This is compounded by a lack of understanding about how internal processes influence data release. Our aim in this paper is to get a better understanding of these processes and how they influence data release, i.e, to find determinants for the release of public sector information. For this purpose, we conducted workshops, interviews, questionnaires and desk research. We find that the way data is used by a department, the way data is obtained, how data is stored, and the suitability of data to become open, as crucial indicators for open data release. We conclude with lessons learned based on the research findings. These are that we should take a nuanced approach towards data release, avoid releasing data for it's own sake and take small incremental steps to explore data release.
79 citations
TL;DR: Compared criminogenic needs in male and female offenders and their relevance in predicting recidivism, results mainly support the gender neutrality of existing offender risk and needs assessment, but results do suggest that some crim inogenic needs may indeed have a different impact on recidivist for men and women.
Abstract: Most instruments used to assess offenders' risk of recidivism were developed and validated on male samples. Use of these instruments with female offenders is, however, common practice. This use with female offenders implies the assumption that the risk of recidivism can be predicted on the basis of the same risk factors for women as for men. Yet, this implied gender-neutrality of offender risk instruments has been the topic of much debate. This study compared criminogenic needs in male and female offenders and their relevance in predicting recidivism. A large sample of male and female offenders (N = 16,239) charged with a range of index offenses was studied. Results mainly support the gender neutrality of existing offender risk and needs assessment. However, results do suggest that some criminogenic needs may indeed have a different impact on recidivism for men and women. Problems with accommodation, education and work, and relationships with friends were more strongly correlated to general recidivism in men than in women. For women, difficulties with emotional well-being had a stronger correlation with recidivism than for men. In addition, relative to all other criminogenic needs, problems with emotional well-being were more important for women than for men in predicting general as well as violent recidivism. However, because the bivariate correlation for female offenders between emotional difficulties and recidivism is weak (as it is for male offenders), the question remains whether the relative importance of emotional difficulties in predicting recidivism in women actually has clinical relevance.
71 citations
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this article, the authors address differing definitions on homicide, available data sources and the quality of the data, and show which elements are part of the homicide statistics and which elements could be included or excluded dependent on the definitions used by international data sources.
Abstract: In this chapter we address differing definitions on homicide, available data sources and the quality of the data. Apart from complications with translation‖the translation of the term “homicide” in another language does not necessarily cover the exact notion of homicide in the English context‖definitions of homicide between countries are different for various reasons. First, the notions of premeditated and intentional homicide are not everywhere used in the same way, and in particular intentional homicide is not in every country seen as an essential element of homicide as it is in the definition used for international data sources. Second, there are several “special” forms of homicide, such as euthanasia and abortion, that may or may not be part of the definition of homicide. For national data sources it is shown which elements are part of the homicide statistics and which elements could be included or excluded dependent on the definitions used by international data sources. The quality of homicide data is dependent on reliability and completeness. Whether to include attempted homicides is an important issue here; but the questions whether missing persons could be the victim of a homicide or whether the cause of death is correctly established are relevant. Also, the way statistical (counting) rules are applied have an impact on the results.
55 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors connect survey data of inmates and correctional staff in the Dutch prison system in order to describe and explain the impact of staff orientation and staff working conditions on perceived prison circumstances of inmates.
Abstract: The current study connects survey data of inmates and correctional staff in the Dutch prison system in order to describe and explain the impact of staff orientation and staff working conditions on perceived prison circumstances of inmates. Importation and deprivation theory are combined to test an integrated model to explain perceived prison conditions. By surveying staff (N = 1750) and inmates (N = 4673) independently within the same period of time and by afterwards pairing the results on the level of the housing unit (N = 173) using multilevel techniques, it is found that inmates´ perceptions of the prison conditions vary considerably between housing units. It is also found that staff’s perceptions of prison conditions show congruency with those of inmates. Another important finding is that in housing units where the orientation of staff towards inmates is relatively supportive, inmates perceive their circumstances as more positive. Conclusions and directions for further research are provided.
41 citations
TL;DR: The authors conducted a systematic review of 33 empirical studies into the needs of victims of crime and found that the expressed victims' needs seem to occur among victims of crimes across the entire spectrum, and this appears to be particularly true for the need for information and for financial needs.
Abstract: The authors report a systematic review of 33 empirical studies into the needs of victims of crime. They were especially interested in differences in needs between groups of victims, like differences for type of crime, gender and ethnic background. The needs were interpreted against the background of basic human needs theories. The expressed victims’ needs seem to occur among victims of crimes across the entire spectrum, and this appears to be particularly true for the need for information and for financial needs. However, the surviving relatives of victims of homicides and victims of violence (including victims of domestic and/or sexual violence committed by a known offender, in particular) were found to have specific needs. With regard to the correlation between needs and the variables gender, ethnic origin and the question of whether or not a person is a repeat victim, the most striking finding is that very few results were found. More victims of violent crimes than victims of crimes against property re...
37 citations
04 Jun 2012
TL;DR: In this paper, a framework is presented to support data sharing between public organizations for collaboration purposes and it is argued that the proposed framework is suitable for data integration and sharing on various levels.
Abstract: For public organizations data integration and sharing are important in delivering better services. However, when sensitive data are integrated and shared, privacy protection and information security become key issues. This means that information systems must be secured and that access to sensitive data must be controlled. In this paper, a framework is presented to support data sharing between public organizations for collaboration purposes. The framework focuses on solutions towards optimal data sharing and integration while ensuring the security and privacy of individuals. Data sharing is based on the need-to-know principle, that is, data are only made available when they are required to perform core processes. To facilitate this, an approach is introduced in the form of a trusted third party that manages access control to personal information and thus helps to protect the privacy of individuals. It is argued that the proposed framework is suitable for data integration and sharing on various levels. An example of best practices of data sharing in the Netherlands shows how this framework facilitates data sharing to perform knowledge transfer and other higher-level tasks.
32 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors take four alternative interpretations into consideration based on reclassification of immigrant statuses by the state and redefinition of the law, criminal migration and cross- border crime, changes in policing, and demographic changes.
Abstract: Both the number of crime suspects without legal status and the number of irregular or undocumented immigrants held in detention facilities increased substantially in theNetherlandsbetween1997and2003.Inthisperiod,theDutchstateincreasinglyattempted to exclude irregular immigrants from the formal labour market and public provisions. At the same time the registered crime among irregular migrants rose. The 'marginalisation thesis' asserts that a larger number of migrants have become involved in crime in response to a decrease in conventional life chances. Using police and administrative data, the present study takes four alternative interpretations into consideration based on: 1) reclassification of immigrant statuses by the state and redefinition of the law, 2) criminal migration and cross- border crime, 3) changes in policing, and 4) demographic changes. A combination of factors is found to have caused the rise in crime, but the marginalisation thesis still accounts for at least 28%. These findings accentuate the need for a more thorough discussion on the intended and unintended consequences of border control for immigrant crime.
29 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the relationship between impact evaluations and cyber society, in particular digital policies, and find that there appears to be a gap between the pace at which internet an...
Abstract: In this article, the authors explore the relationship between (impact) evaluations and cyber society, in particular digital policies. There appears to be a gap between the pace at which internet an...
21 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed and applied a signpost method to answer the question of how actual developments relate to the development paths depicted in the scenarios, and evaluated their approach.
5 citations
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose four key domains for successful business-IT alignment in cross-governmental partnerships: partnering structure, IS architecture, process architecture, and coordination, based on three case studies in Mexico, The Netherlands, and Canada, respectively.
Abstract: Business-IT alignment is a crucial concept in the understanding of how profit-and-loss organizations use Information Technology (IT) to support their business requirements. This alignment concept becomes tangled when it is addressed in a socio-political context with non-financial goals and political agendas between independent organizations, i.e., in governmental settings. Collaborative problem-solving and coordination mechanisms are enabling government agencies to deal with such a complex alignment. In this chapter, the authors propose to consider four key domains for successful business-IT alignment in cross-governmental partnerships: partnering structure, IS architecture, process architecture, and coordination. Their choice of domains is based on three case studies carried out in cross-governmental partnerships, in Mexico, The Netherlands, and Canada, respectively. The business-IT alignment domains presented in this chapter can guide cross-governmental partnerships in their efforts to achieve alignment. Those domains are still open to further empirical confirmation or refutation. Although much more research is required on this important topic for governments, the authors hope that their study contributes to the pool of knowledge in this relevant research stream.
2 citations
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this article, the challenges of the globalisation of civil litigation from a Dutch perspective are addressed and the Dutch approach to cutting the costs and burden of litigation for citizens and for governments and mass claims are addressed, for which harmonisation at the European level may be considered.
Abstract: This chapter addresses the challenges of the globalisation of civil litigation from a Dutch perspective. It is submitted that for national governments it is inevitable to deliberate on harmonisation. Countries face similar problems and challenges in national civil justice and in the increasing number of cross-border disputes. If governments do not think about harmonisation, others will, in particular the European Commission. National legislators respond in different ways to European intervention depending on whether or not they already have a solution for the specific problem, are working on a solution at that moment or have recently done so. Simultaneous legislative activities create specific challenges, such as in the area of collective redress where both the national legislator and the EU are active at the moment. When faced with the choice between a sectoral approach or a general approach, the Dutch legislator usually prefers a general approach. Furthermore, the Dutch approach to cutting the costs and burden of litigation for citizens and for governments and mass claims are addressed, for which harmonisation at the European level may be considered. In a globalising world the interaction between national and international activity is not just a choice, it is a fact of life. Governments should find their own strategy and vision to deal with it.