On 1 July 2008 the penal code has changed and conditional discharge (in Dutch: voorwaardelijke invrijheidstelling) has been introduced. With that, the early release with which no conditions were connected, has been substituted by a release which is always connected to the general condition that the convicted is not allowed to commit a crime before the end of the probation. Besides, special conditions can be connected to the early release.
By order of the Research and Documentation Centre (in Dutch: WODC) of the Ministry of Security and Justice DSP-groep has evaluated the amended law.