Samenvatting

The theater performance Terecht created by theatermaker Maarten Smit, begins in a church that has been transformed into a courtroom. The story revolves around the criminal justice system in the Netherlands and is based on interviews with (former) prisoners, victims, and experts. The performance aims to make the audience reflect on the flaws and imperfections of this system, with an emphasis on miscommunication and the dilemmas faced by all involved parties, including offenders, lawyers, prosecutors, and judges. The perspective of the offender is central, but the intention is not to portray them as victims but rather to highlight the complexity of the criminal justice process. After the performance, a former prisoner shares his experiences and the second chance he has received.
Experts, including former prison director Frans Douw, emphasize that the performance underscores the flaws in the criminal justice system and aims to provide a nuanced perspective. They advocate for a more compassionate approach to convicted individuals and highlight how the current practice often unjustly stigmatizes people.
The performance is intended for a wide audience and seeks to make the complexity and imperfections of the criminal justice system relatable. Various organizations have shown interest in repeating the performance in 2024, hoping to reach a larger audience and raise awareness about this important societal issue.
The performance can be booked by organizations and institutions from September to December 2024. For inquiries, please contact contact@wabisabitheater.nl.