2023-09-20 18:34:54
On September 1, a law requiring the execution of sentences of less than two years came into force, bringing with it the risk of an increase in the prison population. In the eyes of the Engagés, if the overpopulation of Belgian prisons increases further, the consequences will be more serious than a temporary postponement of the law, as requested by several judicial actors. The Belgian state has already been condemned for this problem. The latest judgment dates back to June 22 and was pronounced in Mons. In particular, he ordered the State to reduce prison overcrowding at the city’s prison. And a year ago, the Council of Europe expressed its deep concern about the situation in Belgium.
Overcrowding not only deteriorates the situation in prisons because it hinders access to health care or hygiene but also endangers the safety of guards and prisoners. As for municipalities that have a prison, they see their police service mobilized to compensate for the lack of guards.
“In the absence of action on your part within 30 days, we will use all means to ensure that, on our territory, the security of our populations, the health and dignity of those detained are ensured,” warned these agents, among whom we find Mr. Prévot, mayor of Namur, Vincent Magnus, mayor of Arlon, Christine Servaes, mayor of Juprelle, as well as the deputy Vanessa Matz.
“There must be not a postponement of the execution of sentences (…) but that we provide the means before imposing something which will not produce the expected effects”, underlined Mr. Prévot.
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