Interview

Belgium: “complete failure” of the section for radicalised prisoners

Belgium was condemned on 24 April 2019 and will have to compensate several prisoners in the De-Radex section of the Ittre prison. Prisoners suspected to be recruiting members for jihadist organisations are isolated in these sections.

Nicolas Cohen is a lawyer at the Brussels Bar and a member of the board of directors for Prison Insider. He filed an appeal on behalf of these prisoners because of the treatment government has subjected them to. According to him, these conditions in De-Radex sections are not justified. Prison Insider asked him three questions.

The prisoners have nearly no fresh air. Their “courtyard” is a cage that is barely more than 30 metres square big and partially covered with concrete roofing.

The judgement is not final; we are going to work out a plan for a possible appeal.

This constant fear leads the administration to isolate as many persons as possible. It is a total failure.