Criminals fear pyschiatric assessment

An increasing number of suspects are refusing to cooperate with psychiatric examinations out of fear that they may be sentenced to compulsory detention in a special prison hospital (TBS), said Huibert Donker of the prosecution service in an interview with Radio 1 on Tuesday.


More than half of those charged with crimes will not allow themselves to be assessed by the prosecution’s psychiatric centre (Pieter Baan Centrum) in Utrecht, said Donker.
Many are afraid that cooperation with the centre may lead them to being locked up for ever, he said.
But Donker claimed this fear is unfounded as judges have to review a TBS order every two years.
Convicted criminals who are given TBS (on top of a prison sentence) are treated by psychiatrists until the judge is convinced that they are safe to be returned in society.
Donker said society is at risk if this category of criminals are let back onto the streets without treatment.

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