Nationwide prison strike begins across Belgium
Prison staff across Belgium began a nationwide strike on Monday in protest over overcrowding, poor working conditions and rising violence in prisons.
The action was called in solidarity with staff in several French-speaking prisons, where trade unions say talks with local management have completely broken down.
Unions say they have repeatedly raised concerns about overcrowding, including hundreds of inmates sleeping on mattresses on the floor, increasing aggression towards staff and worsening working conditions. They accuse prison authorities of failing to take action despite months of warnings.
Belgium’s prisons currently hold around 13,700 inmates despite having space for just over 11,000. More than 750 prisoners are sleeping on mattresses on the floor. Prison directors have also warned that serious incidents and staff injuries linked to violence have risen sharply over the past year.
A strike notice was filed on 19 June, but further talks last week failed to resolve the dispute.
Belgium’s prison service said the strike is being widely observed. Extra police support has been deployed to help maintain safety in prisons during the industrial action.
© BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR