Brabants Historisch Informatie Centrum (BHIC) digitized and indexed the Secret Register of Released Prisoners, Geheim Register van Ontslagen Gevangen, which was kept from 1882 to 1896. There are 1,700 prisoners in the registers. The register included photographs, personal details, and overview of crimes of the prisoners who would be released in the upcoming month even though they were still considered dangerous.  The register was sent in the form of a monthly journal to the procurators-generals of the courts and the district attorneys. In later years, it was also sent to the military police and police commissioners in larger municipalities. The contents were kept confidential so that the released prisoners could try to find a decent place in society again.

The website is: http://www.bhic.nl/onderzoeken/geheim-register-van-ontslagen-gevangenen

It is available in Dutch and English.

To search, enter a name and press “zoek” [search] or click on “ga naar uitgebreid zoeken” [go to advanced search] for more options:

Alle velden [all fields]

Achternaam [last name]

Voornaam [first name]

Geboorteplaats [place of birth]

Periode [period] t/m [to]

To read more about the archive see: https://www.dutchgenealogy.nl/source-secret-register-of-released-prisoners/

Thank you to Yvette Hoitink, CG who posted this information on her newsletter, Dutch Genealogy, https://www.dutchgenealogy.nl/

Jan Meisels Allen

Chairperson, IAJGS Public Records Access Monitoring Committee