A prisoner escaped from Bruges Prison on Saturday morning, according to Kathleen Van De Vijver, spokesperson for the Belgian Prison Service.
The Bruges police have launched a search, and the man is now on the wanted list.
“The inmate, who held a position of trust, made a run for it this morning,” stated Van De Vijver. “We suspect it was an impulsive decision made for personal reasons.” At the time, the prisoner was cleaning in the guardhouse of the Bruges prison.
The escapee is in his forties and was serving a sentence of less than five years for drug-related offences. He had received several temporary release permissions, including one on Friday when he left the prison and returned later.
The prison service expressed surprise at the escape, particularly given the recent temporary release permission granted the day before. “We are aware of a personal situation that might have been the ‘trigger,’” Van De Vijver added.
Authorities emphasised that the man does not pose a danger to society. He would not have been granted a position of trust otherwise, noted the spokesperson.
