Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

September 13, 2023

Belgium: intersecting approaches

Interview

Europe Material conditions Facilities Rehabilitation Belgium

Hoogstraten Penitentiary School Centre (PSC) is an open prison operating in a 19th century castle. Kortrijk detention house is a small-scale facility located in an urban environment. Prison Insider examines their similarities and differences.

April 20, 2023

Belgium: "a key voice"

Interview

Europe Justice Health Material conditions Overcrowding Belgium

Marc Nève is a lawyer and President of the Central Prison Monitoring Council in Belgium. He sat down with us to discuss the work of the Council, as well as the main issues facing the Belgian prison system today. Interview.

March 9, 2023

Belgium: a tough journey

Interview

Europe Health Mental health Drugs Belgium

Prisons often act as a conduit for worsening drug use, yet prisoners are confronted with numerous barriers when trying to access help.Ambulatoire Forest discussed its psychosocial support programme specifically designed for offenders struggling with substance use.

January 25, 2023

Belgium: seen in the press / 2023

News

Women Europe LGBTQI Long-term prisoners Justice Health Mental health Material conditions Work Belgium

Violence, acts of protest, prison conditions, justice reforms: find out what is new about prisons and justice in this country. Prison Insider monitors the press on a regular basis. Change the language setting to French or Spanish to read other articles.

January 2, 2023

Pre-trial detention Women Europe Minors Foreign prisoners LGBTQI Long-term prisoners Access to legal rights Discipline Justice Health Mental health Material conditions Suicide Overcrowding Torture Violence Activities Social ties Work Belgium

All there is to know about Congolese prisons in 2023. Key figures, life in detention, references: discover all the data gathered by Prison Insider.

April 14, 2022

Belgium: walling up madness

Analysis

Europe Access to legal rights Discipline Mental health Drugs Material conditions Belgium

Belgium is a federal state. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for prison administration and prison healthcare. People suffering from mental illness who commit a crime are subject to a psychiatric assessment.

March 16, 2022

Belgium: prison within prison

Interview

Europe Discipline Mental health Material conditions Belgium

When can someone be sent to solitary confinement? A new report strongly criticises the use of solitary confinement and the conditions of detention observed there. Interview.

January 10, 2022

Belgium: seen in the press / 2022

News

Europe Belgium

Violence, acts of protest, prison conditions, justice reforms: find out what is new about prisons and justice in this country. Prison Insider monitors the press on a regular basis.

November 23, 2021

Belgium: seen in the press / 2021

News

Europe Belgium

Violence, acts of protest, prison conditions, justice reforms: find out what is new about prisons and justice in this country. Prison Insider monitors the press on a regular basis.

September 27, 2021

Belgium: a parent in prison

Interview

Europe Social ties Belgium

The Relais Enfants-Parents (REP) association works to maintain the relationship between a child and their imprisoned parent. How does this mediation take place? Does it allow for in-person visits? Interview.

September 27, 2021

Belgium: regular crisis and health crisis

Interview

Coronavirus Europe Health Overcrowding Belgium

Belgian prisons, already criticised for their dilapidation and incarceration conditions, have been closed off since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. What measures have been taken to deal with the health crisis?

September 9, 2021

Belgium: “prison isn’t a place for care”

Interview

Europe Mental health Belgium

Incarcerated people are often in worse physical and mental health than the general population. I.Care has been visiting prisons since 2015.

March 29, 2021

Belgium: what is Haren ?

Interview

Europe Facilities Overcrowding Belgium

One billion euros have been invested in the construction of Haren, a massive prison complex located on the outskirts of Brussels.

December 11, 2020

Belgique : "on est revenu en pleine seconde vague à un taux de surpopulation assez élevé"

News

Coronavirus Culture Europe Access to legal rights Discipline Justice Health Mental health Overcrowding Activities Social ties Belgium

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

December 9, 2020

Belgique : les visites reprennent en prison… sous forme limitée

News

Europe Social ties Belgium

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

November 24, 2020

Belgique : "on a tous droit à un peu d'affection"

News

Coronavirus Europe Mental health Protest Social ties Belgium

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

November 24, 2020

Belgique : une délégation profite de la visite du roi Philippe pour dénoncer des "conditions indignes"

News

Coronavirus Europe Access to legal rights Health Material conditions Protest Social ties Belgium

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

November 20, 2020

Belgique: près de deux tiers des détenus vont à fond de peine

News

Europe Justice Rehabilitation Belgium

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

November 12, 2020

Belgique : "la situation actuelle en prison est plus difficile qu'en mars", alerte la Direction générale des établissements pénitentiaires

News

Coronavirus Europe Social ties Belgium

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

November 12, 2020

Belgique : prison et Covid, la double peine

News

Coronavirus Europe Health Mental health Social ties Belgium

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

October 16, 2020

Belgique: libérations anticipées et interruptions de peine, plus de 700 détenus sortis de prison lors de la première vague

News

Coronavirus Europe Justice Alternatives Belgium

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

April 30, 2020

Belgium: locked-up outside

Investigations Testimonial

Europe Long-term prisoners Rehabilitation Belgium

How does someone truly become free? Marcus spent his childhood in a children’s home before serving more than 20 years in prison. He has never known anything other than confinement.

April 28, 2020

Belgium: près de 42.000 masques de protection fabriqués par les détenus

News

Coronavirus Europe Health Work Belgium

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French

April 28, 2020

Belgium: les détenus et leurs proches sont en colère et se sentent oubliés

News

Coronavirus Europe Health Social ties Belgium

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French