Gevangenismuseum, Prison museum in Veenhuizen, Netherlands.
Gevangenismuseum is a prison museum housed in a former correctional facility in Veenhuizen, documenting Dutch criminal justice history and how punishment systems evolved. The permanent collection covers prison conditions, rehabilitation approaches, and the role of detention in Dutch society over different periods.
The site started in 1823 as a labor colony where authorities hoped to reform and rehabilitate marginalized groups through work. In 1975, the former prison building reopened as a museum to preserve and share the story of Dutch incarceration practices.
The displays show handmade objects created by prisoners and reveal how views on crime and punishment changed over time in Dutch society. These items offer a window into daily life behind bars and the values that shaped the justice system.
The museum is best explored on foot or by bike since the site spans a wide area with several historic buildings to discover. Plan extra time to walk around the grounds and see the broader setting, as the entire location tells a fuller story than the main building alone.
A highlight is the ride in an authentic prison transport bus through Veenhuizen, showing both the historical buildings and the active detention facilities still operating today. This experience gives visitors a direct sense of how the location functioned as a specialized place of justice and how it remains connected to that role.
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