Since 2004, the Netherlands has closed 23 prisons… because they didn’t have enough criminals to fill them.
Yeah, you read that right. Crime rates dropped so significantly that entire facilities became unnecessary.
Instead of focusing only on punishment, the Dutch system invests heavily in rehabilitation, mental health support, and social reintegration. The result? Fewer repeat offenders and a safer society overall.
Makes you wonder—what if more countries focused on why people commit crimes, rather than just what to do after they do?
