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🇧🇪 Belgium /Elections & Politics

Record 2,099 People Wearing Ankle Monitors in Flanders; Minister Demir Warns 'End of Increase Not in Sight'

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Flanders, Belgium, has recorded a record 2,099 individuals wearing electronic ankle monitors, a figure that continues to rise.
  • Flemish Minister of Justice Zuhal Demir warned that the end of this increase is not yet in sight, expressing concern over the record.
  • The number includes both convicted individuals adhering to curfews and suspects awaiting trial, with the latter group increasingly contributing to the total due to prison overcrowding.

The latest figures on electronic monitoring in Flanders paint a stark picture of our justice system's current pressures. With a record 2,099 individuals now wearing ankle monitors, Flemish Minister of Justice Zuhal Demir rightly sounds a note of caution, stating that 'the end of the increase is not yet in sight.' This is not a record to celebrate; it is a symptom of deeper issues within our correctional facilities and judicial processes.

It is not a record you can be happy about, and the end of the increase is not yet in sight.

· Zuhal DemirCommenting on the record number of people wearing ankle monitors in Flanders.

What is particularly concerning is the changing composition of those under electronic surveillance. While ankle monitors have long been used for convicted individuals to manage curfews and allow for work or other essential activities, a significant portion of the current caseload now comprises suspects awaiting trial. Minister Demir highlights that over 600 individuals daily, or 2,254 annually, are in this category – a figure that has more than doubled in just five years.

This surge is directly linked to the federal issue of prison overcrowding. As our prisons reach capacity, the judiciary is increasingly opting for electronic monitoring as an alternative, even for individuals who might previously have faced pre-trial detention. Minister Demir points out that '1 in 2 people who received an ankle monitor in 2025 received it while awaiting their trial.' This places an additional burden on the system and raises questions about the balance between public safety and the rights of the accused.

1 in 2 people who received an ankle monitor in 2025 received it while awaiting their trial.

· Zuhal DemirHighlighting the increasing number of suspects under electronic surveillance.

Looking ahead, the situation is unlikely to improve soon. Upcoming legislative changes allowing individuals with sentences up to 18 months to wear ankle monitors will only add further pressure. This trend underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms, not just in electronic monitoring policies, but in addressing the root causes of prison overcrowding and ensuring a justice system that is both effective and humane. The current trajectory is unsustainable and demands immediate attention.

Because the second measure against prison overcrowding comes into effect. This means that convicted individuals with prison sentences of up to 18 months can receive an ankle monitor. Extra pressure on the system.

· Zuhal DemirExplaining the impact of upcoming legislative changes on electronic monitoring.
About this summary

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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