“Investigating systems, using my own experience, each time I found out that my disbelieve was more true than I expected it to be” ― Louk Hulsman
Dear friends and visitors,
Welcome to the site of the Hulsman Foundation. This foundation is the successor of the local foundation on human rights, with Louk Hulsman as chairman. After he departed in 2009 the initiative was taken to raise this foundation to an international level, aiming to preserve and if possible expand on the life work of Louk Hulsman, to deal with problematic situations in society without involvement of the criminal justice system.
One part of this site is dedicated to the work of Louk Hulsman, including some of his publications, that part is international.
Another part of this site contains the historical work done by the predecessor on the local criminal justice system, that part is in Dutch.
The third part will inform you on on-going activities by the Hulsman Foundations and possible interesting projects to take part in.
The Hulsman Foundation aims to preserve the legacy of Louk Hulsman’s work, by making accessible publications and possible networks, initiatives, that promote, support or realize or have realized ways to deal with problematic situations in society without the involvement of the criminal justice system.
Claudia Laub ( El Agora, Argentina, www.elagora.org.ar)
Andrea Beckmann ( European Group for the study of deviance and social control (www.europeangroup.org/content/annual-britishirish-section-conference), University of Lincoln)
Jehanne Hulsman ( Social Lawyer, Hulsman Advocatuur)
Edited by Justin Piché, translation Justin Piché and Jehanne Hulsman august 2023
The first full English translation of Louk’s lifework Peines Perdues (1982)
Red Quill Books Ltd Ottawa (publisher)
Nils Cristie (Deceased), professor of Sociology and Criminology, University of Oslo
Norway:
To me, the importance of what is done – Archives, Foundation, etc. – is
that this “materialize his spirit”. Confronted with your question, I
hear him laughing, see him hugging friends, – also those who have not
been kind to him, hear him scorn proposals for more punishment, and in
the end; laughing again. Louk was a man from medieval times. One we
strongly need today.
Sebastian Scheerer, professor of criminology, University of Hamburg, Germany:
‘The Hulsman Foundation aims at overcoming the present system that allocates blame and delivers pain in the name of justice – and I would be more than happy to contribute my share in the company of Louk’s heirs…’
Vincenzo Ruggiero, Professor of Sociology, Middlesex University, UK:
‘The Foundation is an extremely important institution which will allow
the work of Louk Hulsman to be kept and made available to new
generations of penal reformers. The abolitionist tradition of thought
has to be cherished and transmitted worldwide: for the reduction of
human suffering and the building of community skills to deal with their
own problematic situations’
Chris Powell, professor of criminology, University of Southern Maine, USA:
‘I’d be most honoured to serve as a member of the committee of recommendation for the Hulsman Foundation. Louk Hulsman’s contribution to debates concerning definitions and responses to ‘crime’ was an immense one, and it is most important that his legacy is both maintained and built on. His kind of intellectual quality and deep humanity inspired many people and the Foundation should ensure that future generation will continue to benefit from his insights.’
We hope to contribute the sharing of the understanding that we need to deal with problematic situations in our society in a constructive and non-punitive manner.
Jehanne Hulsman
