Belgium's prison population has hit a new record of 13,018 in a system that only has capacity for 11,000.
Every prison in Belgium is faced with chronic overcrowding, and 267 inmates are forced to sleep on the floor due to lack of space. Approximately 3,400 short-term offenders are on a waiting list for incarceration.
In addition, 713 convicts have been released early to create space, as reported by De Standaard, Het Nieuwsblad and Het Belang van Limburg on Tuesday.
"The situation has never been so disastrous in terms of staff shortages, security issues, and overcrowding," Prison Service spokesperson Kathleen Van De Vijver told Het Nieuwsblad. "On Monday, we surpassed the historic but grim milestone of 13,000 inmates. Despite emergency measures and numerous efforts, the population continues to increase."
The Prison Service describes the situation as an "overcrowding crisis reaching a humanitarian low point."
Prime Minister contacted
The body's management committee of the Prison Service has requested an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) via a letter that "sounds the alarm".
It is also seeking additional budgetary assistance as well as the approval of a law introducing temporary emergency measures. These measures include more electronic monitoring for those with sentences under three years, and increased provisional release for inmates within six months of completing their sentences.
A ministerial council will discuss the prison system on Wednesday. La Libre has reported that the Justice Ministry is considering an additional €1 billion internal security budget during this mandate to rectify its structural problems.
