Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

March 13, 2024

Belgium: unions blame overcrowding and understaffing for torture in Antwerp prison

News

Europe Material conditions Overcrowding Torture Belgium

The incident in which a prisoner in Antwerp was tortured for several days by cellmates is the result of “scandalous working conditions” for staff and prison overcrowding, unions said on Wednesday.

January 12, 2024

Belgium: prison staff hold 24-hour strike

News

Europe Material conditions Overcrowding Belgium

Belgian prison staff walked out on strike for 24 hours as part of a joint trade union front, citing overcrowding and “deplorable conditions” for prisoners.

January 12, 2024

Belgium: diverging pathways

Interview

Europe Material conditions Facilities Overcrowding Alternatives Belgium

In recent years, authorities have followed a policy of constructing new ‘mega-prisons’. At the same time, the prison estate has welcomed the creation of smaller facilities. The simultaneous development of these opposing approaches raises a number of questions.

September 13, 2023

Belgium: intersecting approaches

Interview

Europe Material conditions Facilities Rehabilitation Belgium

Hoogstraten Penitentiary School Centre (PSC) is an open prison operating in a 19th century castle. Kortrijk detention house is a small-scale facility located in an urban environment. Prison Insider examines their similarities and differences.

April 20, 2023

Belgium: "a key voice"

Interview

Europe Justice Health Material conditions Overcrowding Belgium

Marc Nève is a lawyer and President of the Central Prison Monitoring Council in Belgium. He sat down with us to discuss the work of the Council, as well as the main issues facing the Belgian prison system today. Interview.

March 9, 2023

Belgium: a tough journey

Interview

Europe Health Mental health Drugs Belgium

Prisons often act as a conduit for worsening drug use, yet prisoners are confronted with numerous barriers when trying to access help.Ambulatoire Forest discussed its psychosocial support programme specifically designed for offenders struggling with substance use.

January 25, 2023

Belgium: seen in the press / 2023

News

Women Europe LGBTQI Long-term prisoners Justice Health Mental health Material conditions Work Belgium

Violence, acts of protest, prison conditions, justice reforms: find out what is new about prisons and justice in this country. Prison Insider monitors the press on a regular basis. Change the language setting to French or Spanish to read other articles.

January 2, 2023

Pre-trial detention Women Europe Minors Foreign prisoners LGBTQI Long-term prisoners Access to legal rights Discipline Justice Health Mental health Material conditions Suicide Overcrowding Torture Violence Activities Social ties Work Belgium

All there is to know about Congolese prisons in 2023. Key figures, life in detention, references: discover all the data gathered by Prison Insider.

April 14, 2022

Belgium: walling up madness

Analysis

Europe Access to legal rights Discipline Mental health Drugs Material conditions Belgium

Belgium is a federal state. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for prison administration and prison healthcare. People suffering from mental illness who commit a crime are subject to a psychiatric assessment.

March 16, 2022

Belgium: prison within prison

Interview

Europe Discipline Mental health Material conditions Belgium

When can someone be sent to solitary confinement? A new report strongly criticises the use of solitary confinement and the conditions of detention observed there. Interview.

January 10, 2022

Belgium: seen in the press / 2022

News

Europe Belgium

Violence, acts of protest, prison conditions, justice reforms: find out what is new about prisons and justice in this country. Prison Insider monitors the press on a regular basis.

November 23, 2021

Belgium: seen in the press / 2021

News

Europe Belgium

Violence, acts of protest, prison conditions, justice reforms: find out what is new about prisons and justice in this country. Prison Insider monitors the press on a regular basis.

September 27, 2021

Belgium: a parent in prison

Interview

Europe Social ties Belgium

The Relais Enfants-Parents (REP) association works to maintain the relationship between a child and their imprisoned parent. How does this mediation take place? Does it allow for in-person visits? Interview.

September 27, 2021

Belgium: regular crisis and health crisis

Interview

Coronavirus Crises Europe Health Overcrowding Belgium

Belgian prisons, already criticised for their dilapidation and incarceration conditions, have been closed off since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. What measures have been taken to deal with the health crisis?

September 9, 2021

Belgium: “prison isn’t a place for care”

Interview

Europe Mental health Belgium

Incarcerated people are often in worse physical and mental health than the general population. I.Care has been visiting prisons since 2015.

March 29, 2021

Belgium: what is Haren ?

Interview

Europe Facilities Overcrowding Belgium

One billion euros have been invested in the construction of Haren, a massive prison complex located on the outskirts of Brussels.

December 11, 2020

Belgique : "on est revenu en pleine seconde vague à un taux de surpopulation assez élevé"

News

Coronavirus Culture Europe Access to legal rights Discipline Justice Health Mental health Overcrowding Activities Social ties Belgium