Parliament is angry about the fact that thousands of convicts sentenced to terms of imprisonment are allowed to serve their sentences at home under electronic surveillance.

In 2005, a serious shortage of prison cells made parliament approve an emergency measure which allowed for the conversion of short prison sentences to electronic detention. However, according to Deputy Justice Minister Nebahat Albayrak, the measure was extended after the shortage had been filled because recidivism among convicts serving their sentence at home is lower compared to those in jail.

The conservative VVD, PVV and the Christian Democratic CDA want the secretary to immediately stop converting prison sentences to electronic surveillance. The Socialist Party says only a judge has the right to determine how a convict is punished.