1945-now 

After 1945 large numbers of political offenders flooded the Dutch prisons. Because they were all entitled to spiritual care, there was a proliferation of spiritual counsellors. This led to the creation of  a central body tasked with  coordinating the work, which later became the Spiritual Care Service (DGV).

A humanist denomination was added to the Protestant, Catholic and Jewish care in the 1960s. After expanding to include Buddhist (2004), Islamic (2007) and Hindu (2012) spiritual care, today there are seven official faiths. The Orthodox faith aims to form its own denomination in the future.

Scroll down for information on the objects in this showcase, from left to right: 

Judaism

Ram’s horn, Jewish name “shofar,” used during Jewish worship, undated, private collection.

Buddhism

Buddha statue, made by a detainee, clay; undated, own collection. 

Protestantism

Protestant cross, used in the contemplation room of the domed prison in Breda, undated, own collection

Hinduism

• Hinduist temple or mandir from contemplation room; undated, own collection
• Figurine of the Hindu god Shiva from contemplation room; undated, own collection
• Bracelet or kavala, worn by Hindus as a sign of loyalty to the faith; undated, own collection.

Humanism

Humanist pin and books 

Catholicism

• Roman Catholic chalice, from the contemplation room of the Prison Amsterdam; undated, own collection.
• Watercolour of a Bible book on a table in a cell, made by a detainee; 1993, own collection.

Orthodox

• Orthodox icons, on loan from Esserheem Prison Veenhuizen.
• Orthodox Icon of Mary with Child; undated, private collection.

Islam

Islamic sign from the contemplation room of the domed prison in Breda.

In Arabic it reads “Uthman ibn Affan”, the name of an important companion and son-in-law of Muhammad; undated, own collection.