Flemish Bar Sues Belgian State Over Overcrowded Prisons

The Flemish Bar Association has initiated legal action against the Belgian state, citing "structural problems" within the Ghent prison. The lawyers' organization argues that conditions for inmates have long fallen below minimum standards, jeopardizing their rights. Key concerns include overcrowded cells, a shortage of medical and psychiatric care, and inadequate reception facilities.

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We must acknowledge that overcrowding has become normalized.

"We must acknowledge that overcrowding has become normalized," stated Nicolaas Vinckier, a director at Advocaat.be and the OVB. "After a year of evaluation, we see that the situation has not improved, but has worsened." Vinckier emphasized that most issues stem from overcrowding, leading to problems with sanitation, pests, and infrastructure, as well as increased tensions and violence among inmates.

"We are simply asking the government to do what the law requires," Vinckier said, adding that the lawsuit aims to place the issue back on the political agenda. "People in the prison system have been saying for over 10 years that the situation is unsustainable."

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We are simply asking the government to do what the law requires.

Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden acknowledged the severity of the problem, noting that 668 inmates slept on mattresses on the floor the previous night. She stated that the overcrowding puts immense pressure on staff and management and undermines the overall functioning of prisons. Verlinden pointed to government measures, including a law passed last year that reduced the waiting list for convicted individuals from 5,000 to 2,300, and a March agreement to expedite the transfer of interned individuals, deport undocumented inmates, create more prison capacity, and hire additional staff.

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The overcrowding puts immense pressure on staff and management and undermines the overall functioning of our prisons.