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RECENT EVOLUTIONS OF QUASI-COERCED TREATMENT IN THE BELGIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

RECENT EVOLUTIONS OF QUASI-COERCED TREATMENT IN THE BELGIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. Thematic meeting on monitoring and evaluating national experience with quasi coerced treatment Criminal Justice Platform, May 27, 2010 Karel Berteloot. Introduction. Department for Criminal policy

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RECENT EVOLUTIONS OF QUASI-COERCED TREATMENT IN THE BELGIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

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  1. RECENT EVOLUTIONS OF QUASI-COERCED TREATMENTIN THE BELGIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Thematic meeting on monitoring and evaluating national experience with quasi coerced treatment Criminal Justice Platform, May 27, 2010 Karel Berteloot

  2. Introduction • Department for Criminal policy • Philosophy Belgian drug users policy: document of 2001 and 2010 • Public health issue • Prevention > treatment > punishment • Criminal reaction: alternative sanctions

  3. 1. General provisions • Police > prosecutor > examining magistrate > court > execution • General possibilities concerning drug related offenders on prosecutorial level: • Dismiss of a case (possibly praetorian probation) • Payment of a sum of money (“settlement”), only for small offences • For small and medium offences: mediation • Set up a judicial inquiry • Bring to trial

  4. 2. Test Care (Proefzorg) • Since 2005 – Ghent region • prosecutorial power to dismiss a case • praetorian probation: conditional dismissal • without a legal framework • Short or long test care track • Users + public nuisance + small trade to finance own taking + minors

  5. Evaluation: • Fills in a gap in the criminal justice system • Better cooperation between judicial authorities and treatment facilities by means of • Bridging functions • Clear reporting • Clear barriers • Partnership • Lessons for other regions: • Dialogue • Uniform criminal policy • Case management • Funding

  6. 3. Narcotic Adviser (Conseiller stratégique drogue) • Since 2005 – Liège region • Similar to Ghent system: praetorian probation

  7. Provisional evaluation: • Clear arrangements & definitions • Sufficient funding • Net widening • Complete guidance or support, not only treatment • Need for drug court

  8. 4. National implementation • Three options for legal framework: • - seperate regulation for drug users • - adaptation of current mediation regulations • - general provision on dissolution of charges at prosecutorial level • Points of interest: • - which criminal offences? • - due process of law • - net widening • - general policy (justice – public health)

  9. 5. Drug treatment court (Drugbehandelingskamer) • Since 2008 – Ghent region • Ultimum remedium principle • Postponement verdict • Failed test care • Failed mediation (if victim) • Trade to support own drug abuse • Drug related crime • Minors

  10. Provisional evaluation: • Added value towards Test Care • Close follow up • Difference with probation • Recommendations: • Attention for general guidance and sufficient support • Networking • Sufficient capacity social service sector • Clear barriers • Maximise judicial pressure • Rehabilitation • Coordinator

  11. 6. Conclusions • Let the cobbler stick to his last • Cooperation & information • Funding • Due process of law

  12. QUESTIONS? • Karel Berteloot • www.strafrechtelijkbeleid.be • www.politiquecriminelle.be

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