In Dutch criminal law a convict can be sentenced to involuntary psychiatric treatment in a special institute called a TBS-clinic. TBS is an abbreviation for “Ter Beschikkingstelling,” literally meaning ‘being placed at disposal’.
Legally, such a sentence is not regarded as a punishment like a prison sentence, but as a special measure. Every convict detained in a TBS-clinic may get temporary leave, after serving a certain time or after some progress in treatment.
This is regarded as an essential part of treatment, as the convict will be gradually re-entering society this way. In Switzerland this system does not exist and the Swiss public TV background program SRF Rundschau wants more information.