Between 150 and 200 prisoners will get a lengthy holiday release. This has been authorized by the Justice Minister, the RTL Info and Le Soir internet sites reported on Friday.
These releases are a “breath of fresh air” for the prison directors. They demanded this measure from Justice Minister Koen Geens because of a long-term prison guard strike. This 14 day holiday could be extended “if the current situation continues”, Le Soir reported.
During the day, penitentiary establishments drew up a list of prisoners that meet the conditions for lengthy holiday release. This means they have a maximum of a 10 year sentence, have already had a similar release, and are not sex offenders, terrorists or radicalized, Marc Dizier told Belga. He is the President of the French-speaking association of prison directors, and runs Andenne prison.
10 prisoners at this prison will benefit from this measure, and will be released over the weekend, Mr Dizier says. “This is around the same as other prisons: around 10 prisoners for 15 prisons”, he told Belga.
(Source: Belga)
