Five correctional officers were injured in what is being described as a “serious incident” involving an inmate at Merkplas prison, a correctional facility in the province of Antwerp.
The incident occurred in the psychiatric ward of the prison, a spokesperson for the facility told HLN.
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The five guards were transferred to a hospital emergency room.
The incident occurred when a patient struggling with serious psychological problems became angry after an appointment was cancelled, and lashed out with a chair.
“Our employees then tried to intervene to calm him down, however, they were injured as a result. The management is now examining, together with the staff, how such situations can be avoided in the future,” spokesperson Kathleen De Vijver told HLN.
A doctor on site was able to calm the man down by administering medication.
No further information is available at this time.
Helen Lyons
The Brussels Times
