A 24-hour strike by prison staff in Flanders and Brussels ended at 10 p.m. on Friday.
The strike was organised by the joint trade union front in protest against prison overcrowding and staff shortages, as well as to highlight recent incidents of violence by inmates.
Earlier in the day, a spokesperson for the Prison Service reported that 57 police officers had been called in for support. Inmates were put under a restricted regime, requiring them to stay in their cells, though essential services remained operational.
Trade unions have long criticised prison overcrowding and staff shortages. In light of recent incidents of inmate violence, they reiterated their demand for specialised cells to be installed in various locations to allow for safe management of habitual violent offenders. This issue is expected to be discussed at a meeting on 12 December.
“Cells are overcrowded, people are sleeping on the floor. This leads to aggression among inmates and towards staff. The impunity for inmates who break the rules must end. We want to work in normal conditions,” said Robby De Kaey, secretary of the ACOD public service union.
Eddy De Smedt, permanent secretary of VSOA-Prisons, another union representing penitentiary workers, expressed satisfaction that 85% to 90% of staff participated in Friday’s strike.
