Van Gemert conducted his research on 'Jan,' whom he met in 2009 as a 54-year-old man with a turbulent past, including a period in an American prison as a member of a dangerous prison gang. Jan indicated that he felt more at home in prison, where the rules were clear, and the daily routine was stable.
Conscious crime
Jan's desire for clarity and stability led him to consciously commit a crime to return to prison. He sought a victim he believed had no attachment to life, with the goal of receiving a long prison sentence and an indefinite TBS (psychiatric treatment) order. He succeeded in 2010, receiving a five-year prison sentence and an indefinite TBS measure. However, once in a TBS clinic, he struggled to navigate an environment with more vulnerable patients and various treatment phases.
Van Gemert followed Jan through the TBS system, witnessing Jan's struggles and transformations. Initially, he did not understand how the TBS system worked, but after eight years, he saw Jan slowly transform from a hardened criminal into a person willing to show more gentle sides. This transformation led Van Gemert to the realization that TBS worked but not in the way he expected.
The TBS system in the Netherlands is complex and can be unpredictable. Different rules apply to each patient, and the logic behind them is not always clear to the patients. This lack of uniformity is intended to prepare patients for reintegration into society, where they ultimately have to adapt.
Van Gemert emphasizes the importance of in-depth research into individual cases, such as his study on Jan, to gain a better understanding of the complexity of the TBS system. He says, "People are not statistics, and qualitative research is essential to understand the nuances of the system and the treatment of TBS patients."
Complex reality
The TBS system, partly designed to prepare patients for reintegration into society, reflects the complexity and variability of that same society. The individual approach can sometimes lead to frustration among patients, but ultimately, they must adapt to this reality. The insight that the TBS system functions for this reason, rather than as an ideal of self-improvement, offers a new perspective on this controversial topic.
Jan has now found peace and stability in a TBS clinic, where he has his own room with a kitchen and an oven. This has positively influenced his life, and he enjoys sharing homemade treats with others. The relationship between Jan and Van Gemert has changed, and Jan now displays his gentle side, in contrast to his former image as a hardened criminal.