115 out of 210 cameras at Hasselt Prison are not operational today, according to figures obtained by federal deputy Alain Yzermans (Vooruit) and reported by Het Belang van Limburg on Saturday.
Yzermans has raised concerns that faulty surveillance cameras compromise the safety of staff and inmates. He plans to ask Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) next week if a quick and temporary emergency solution can be found.
The Flemish socialist deputy reminded that he flagged this issue in the Justice Commission last year. At the time, then-Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt (Open VLD) confirmed that €5 million would be invested in upgrading cameras, fire alarms, and automatic extinguishing systems.
However, a tender initiated by the Federal Building Agency for a low-voltage installation study was unsuccessful. Minister Verlinden has now confirmed that the process will be restarted.
In addition, Hasselt Prison is facing overcrowding challenges. It currently houses 640 inmates, exceeding its capacity of 450. Furthermore, 16 individuals are forced to sleep on the floor. Yzermans criticises this situation as untenable.
