The Maatwerk pilot is an approach for guiding and mediating detainees towards employment, carried out with the help of volunteers from Gevangenenzorg Nederland (GNd) and entrepreneurs in the Penitentiaire Inrichting (PI) in Alphen aan den Rijn. Between 2021 and 2024, 70 trajectories were initiated, out of which 37 were completed. 13 detainees were placed in (volunteer) jobs. The evaluation indicates that this approach could work, provided that various conditions are met and that it requires more time. Therefore, it is still too early to make statements about the effectiveness of this approach.
Through the pilot, detainees are motivated to work towards their future, including by assisting in finding employment after their detention. This could positively impact the lives of ex-detainees and contribute to reducing the likelihood of recidivism. Volunteers from GNd and entrepreneurs play a significant role. The approach should be accessible to as many detainees as possible.
Statements regarding effectiveness not yet possible
This evaluation shows how challenging it is to establish a (well-described) pilot within a prison environment. GNd aimed to initiate 70 trajectories annually, but this was not achieved. Various organisational issues, such as access and safe stay of volunteers on the wards, availability of spaces, and sufficient personnel, hindered this. Although the approach itself is positively assessed, it is still premature to determine whether its continuation within the PI Alphen aan den Rijn and in other PIs would add value.
Possible utilisation of research outcomes
The research has highlighted several challenges. These could provide policy and implementation with starting points to improve the approach, which has potential benefits. For instance, lack of diversity among volunteers leads to some inmates being unreceptive to contact. Additionally, due to staff shortages, volunteers could only be present every other Saturday, causing them to be unavailable on evenings.
