Cohort Profile: the Prison Project\u2014a Study of Criminal Behavior and Life Circumstances Before, During, and After Imprisonment in the Netherlands

Abstract

PurposeThe Prison Project is a nationwide prospective cohort study examining the development of criminal behavior and other life circumstances before, during, and after detention in the Netherlands.MethodsThe target population of the study consisted of all men, aged 18–65 years, and born in the Netherlands, who entered pre-trial detention between October 2010 and April 2011. Participants were questioned repeatedly during detention and six and 24 months after release. Self-reported information on a variety of topics was collected at each measurement, including demographics, lifestyle, personality traits, self-control, attitudes towards criminal justice actors, experiences during detention, and different life domains (i.e., recidivism, employment, financial and housing situation, health, family situation, social networks). Moreover, detailed longitudinal information was gathered from different official registration systems.ResultsIn total, 1904 men participated in the baseline interview. Of those qualifying for an interview six and 24 months after release, 53% and 56% were successfully interviewed. Analyses show that—at each measurement—respondents’ characteristics are almost identical to those of the total target population.ConclusionsFindings of the Prison Project illustrate the value of having longitudinal data to disentangle possible causal relationships. Results of the Prison Project will contribute to more knowledge on life-course criminology and more effective treatment of offenders by the criminal justice system.