For the past year, inmates at Bruges prison have only been served frozen meals, reveals a prison oversight report from 2022.
The prison’s kitchen was closed for renovation in 2022, resulting in prisoners only receiving frozen meals for a year. The oversight commission stated that these 500-gram meals were lacking in variety and fresh fruit and vegetables, with prisoners getting only three pieces of fruit every two weeks.
Even when concerns were raised with the central administration in Brussels and the Federal Minister of Justice, no acknowledgement was received.
The report also highlighted concerns regarding inadequate care for prisoners with chronic diseases or dementia. The medical wing housing the elderly with dementia was deemed unsuitable in terms of infrastructure and staffing.
Additionally, the report noted overcrowding issues within the prison. In 2022, men’s cells meant for only one person were occupied by three inmates, with one forced to sleep on a mattress on the floor.
Overcrowding causes inhumane treatment and is linked to increased aggression and violence within prison walls. It also results in a limited number of visitors per inmate due to overfilled visiting rooms.
