Preliminary agreement on prisons, military deployment and penal code
Prime minister Bart De Wever, Justice minister Annelies Verlinden and deputy prime minister David Clarinval have reached a preliminary agreement on prison overcrowding, the use of military personnel for street surveillance and the entry into force of the new penal code. The information was confirmed to Belga by Clarinval.
The issues of prison overcrowding and the deployment of military personnel had been deadlocked within the government for some time. CD&V had linked the two dossiers, but tensions escalated earlier this week when N-VA and MR moved ahead with plans to deploy defence forces to guard Jewish sites without broader agreement.
This prompted criticism within Verlinden's party, CD&V. Deputy prime minister Vincent Van Peteghem said the approach was “not to be repeated,” while party leader Sammy Mahdi argued that Verlinden had been “treated disrespectfully” and called for swift action on prison overcrowding.
Measures to cut overcrowding
As part of the agreement, convicts sentenced to up to 18 months will be fitted with electronic ankle monitors. Those sentenced to terms between 18 months and 10 years can leave prison up to 18 months early under similar monitoring.
The emergency law introduced last year to relieve overcrowding will be extended to the end of 2027, though some conditions are being adjusted. The measures apply to current prisoners, those awaiting sentences, and the “stock” of convicts from previous directives. Sources indicate that Verlinden would have preferred a more ambitious plan, but this is the compromise achievable within the coalition.
Details pending
The dossiers have now been unblocked following discussions between De Wever, Verlinden and Clarinval, who have reached a consensus among themselves. The proposal will still need to be discussed and approved by the core cabinet on Friday.
An agreement has also been reached on the entry into force of the new penal code, which will be postponed until later this year.
Details of the agreement have not been disclosed. Government sources indicate that the proposal will first be examined within the core cabinet before further information is made public.
Prime minister Bart De Wever and Justice minister Annelies Verlinden © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
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