Feminin Pluriel, the global women’s network, is delighted to invite you to an evening with Femke Hofstee-van der Meulen, founder of The PrisonWatch foundation and deputy prison governor in the penitentiary institution of Alphen aan den Rijn, on Wednesday, 18 September at 18.30 at the College Hotel.
Worldwide half a million people are detained in a foreign country. They encounter multiple difficulties in daily prison life as a result of their foreign status, language difficulties and distance from their loved ones. They are often socially excluded and are unable to exercise their rights.
The PrisonWatch foundation has been established to watch over these foreign nationals. Their goal is to make a human connection with those detained abroad and to create awareness about the situation of foreign national prisoners, draw attention to their distinctive needs and rights, and stimulate authorities to provide sufficient support during detention and after release.
Research shows that a visit by a volunteer means the world to them. It has a positive impact on their situation and it helps them to re-settle into society after release. PrisonWatch is creating a network of certified volunteers that can visit prisoners who speak the same language. With this, they contribute to inclusiveness for those who are excluded and by doing so promote a humane, inclusive and fair society.
Femke Hofstee-van der Meulen is the founder of PrisonWatch foundation. She has been active on prison issues since 2000 and worked as a volunteer, inspector of prisons and researcher. Femke studied history and post-graduate International Law at Leiden University, and in 2015 finalised her PhD on Dutch nationals in foreign detention. Femke worked in the European Parliament in Brussels and at the International Centre for Prison Studies in London. Since 2017 she is the deputy prison governor in the penitentiary institution of Alphen aan den Rijn, the biggest male prison in the Benelux.
R.S.V.P.: amsterdam@femininpluriel.org
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