Hasselt Prison Security Concerns Amidst Overcrowding and Malfunctioning Cameras
115 out of 220 security cameras at Hasselt Prison are non-operational, prompting urgent calls for intervention from lawmakers.
Hasselt Prison, located in Belgium, currently holds 640 inmates despite a designed capacity of only 450.
This overcrowding issue is compounded by a significant failure in security infrastructure, where 115 of the 220 surveillance cameras are broken.
Lawmaker Yzermans conducted an inspection of the facility and expressed serious concerns regarding the impact of these malfunctions on safety and order within the prison.
The situation has drawn attention to an unresolved promise from the previous Justice Minister, Paul Van Tigchelt, who had committed to a €5 million upgrade aimed at improving the prison’s security systems.
However, according to Yzermans, no progress has been made on these upgrades since the initial pledge six months ago, leaving the surveillance capabilities of the facility severely lacking.
During his inspection, Yzermans observed that operational screens in the control room were also malfunctioning, which further hinders oversight.
He emphasized the risks posed by the combination of inadequate surveillance and the already strained conditions due to overcrowding.
Yzermans has formally urged the current Justice Minister, Annelies Verlinden, to implement immediate temporary interventions to address the issues at Hasselt Prison.
He advocates for a comprehensive strategy to not only repair security technology but also tackle the excessive inmate population that exacerbates living conditions in the facility.
Due to the overcrowding, some inmates are reportedly sleeping on the floor, raising serious humanitarian concerns.
The lawmaker highlighted that the compromised environment makes it increasingly difficult to maintain cleanliness, provide adequate medical care, and ensure the overall safety of both inmates and staff.
The elevated risks of conflicts between guards and prisoners are also of significant concern, threatening to escalate if measures are not taken promptly.
The discourse surrounding Hasselt Prison reflects broader issues within the Belgian penal system related to capacity management and security oversight, prompting calls for a reevaluation of policies and infrastructure investments within the justice sector.
This overcrowding issue is compounded by a significant failure in security infrastructure, where 115 of the 220 surveillance cameras are broken.
Lawmaker Yzermans conducted an inspection of the facility and expressed serious concerns regarding the impact of these malfunctions on safety and order within the prison.
The situation has drawn attention to an unresolved promise from the previous Justice Minister, Paul Van Tigchelt, who had committed to a €5 million upgrade aimed at improving the prison’s security systems.
However, according to Yzermans, no progress has been made on these upgrades since the initial pledge six months ago, leaving the surveillance capabilities of the facility severely lacking.
During his inspection, Yzermans observed that operational screens in the control room were also malfunctioning, which further hinders oversight.
He emphasized the risks posed by the combination of inadequate surveillance and the already strained conditions due to overcrowding.
Yzermans has formally urged the current Justice Minister, Annelies Verlinden, to implement immediate temporary interventions to address the issues at Hasselt Prison.
He advocates for a comprehensive strategy to not only repair security technology but also tackle the excessive inmate population that exacerbates living conditions in the facility.
Due to the overcrowding, some inmates are reportedly sleeping on the floor, raising serious humanitarian concerns.
The lawmaker highlighted that the compromised environment makes it increasingly difficult to maintain cleanliness, provide adequate medical care, and ensure the overall safety of both inmates and staff.
The elevated risks of conflicts between guards and prisoners are also of significant concern, threatening to escalate if measures are not taken promptly.
The discourse surrounding Hasselt Prison reflects broader issues within the Belgian penal system related to capacity management and security oversight, prompting calls for a reevaluation of policies and infrastructure investments within the justice sector.
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