Belgian prison staff strike over overcrowding
Prison staff across Belgium began a nationwide strike at 6am on Monday, protesting against severe overcrowding, rising violence and heavy workloads.
In a rare move, prison directors publicly backed the strike, saying the situation has become “untenable”. Mathilde Steenbergen, head of Belgium’s prison service, is expected to visit the strike picket at Lantin prison to show support for staff.
Belgian prisons currently hold 13,733 inmates, despite having an official capacity of just 11,064 places. Authorities say 754 prisoners are sleeping on mattresses on the floor.
Trade unions called the strike after talks with Justice minister Annelies Verlinden’s office failed to produce any plans to reduce overcrowding or improve conditions. Unions warn that staff shortages and violence are worsening, with fears the crisis will deepen over the summer holiday period.
Prison management said the number of serious incidents in prisons has doubled over the past year, while absences caused by workplace injuries linked to aggression have risen by more than 30 per cent in two years.
The crisis has also drawn criticism from the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, which warned last month that overcrowding in European prisons risks leading to inhuman and degrading treatment.
© BELGA PHOTO SARAH VAN HECKE