No imprisonment if prisons lack space

No imprisonment if prisons lack space
Proposal to limit number of inmates

Experts advising Minister Koen Geens (CD&V) on the justice system reform have proposed limiting the number of suspects under preventive custody, according to a report investigated by De Standaard. The recommendation was presented today in detail in the Belgian daily.      

Currenty, one in three persons (approximately 3,500 persons) are awaiting trial. “Once the maximum number of inmates is reached, examining judges would not issue any more arrest warrants until a place is freed by another suspect,” stated the report.

“These experts have no idea of how we work,” reacted Philippe Van Linthout, Vice-president of the Association of Examining Judges.

“The idea is based on a computer system which identifies available places,” stated the Attorney General of Antwerp, Yves Liégeois, who is a member of the team of experts. “We need a comprehensive vision of persons entering and leaving prisons.”

Minister Koen Geens has not expressed an opinion on the proposal.  

(Source: Belga)


Copyright © 2024 The Brussels Times. All Rights Reserved.