Belgium’s Justice Ministry is exploring the construction of a floating prison to alleviate severe overcrowding in the country’s penitentiary system. The proposed facility would accommodate over 300 inmates and be moored at a Belgian port.
Currently, the nation’s prisons hold more than 13,000 inmates in a system designed for 11,040, leaving hundreds to sleep on mattresses on the floor.
In December 2025, roughly 600 prisoners were forced to sleep without beds, nearly double the 300 reported in June. Antwerp, Dendermonde, and Ghent are among the worst-hit regions, while Walloon prisons in Mons, Nivelles, Marche, and Leuze also face severe overcrowding. At Brussels’ Haren prison, 34 inmates were sleeping on mattresses despite recent bed additions.
The floating prison concept, inspired by Dutch examples, is still far from approval. Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (Christian Democrat CD&V) stressed that permits, onshore security infrastructure, exercise areas, fire safety measures, and possible legislative adjustments would be required.
Private companies, including Belgian firm Protection Unit, have expressed interest in running the facility.
Belgium has also considered leasing overseas capacity. Verlinden has explored options in Albania, Kosovo, and Estonia, though the Estonian government rejected the proposal.
Right-wing nationalist party Vlaams Belang described the situation as a “ticking time bomb,” noting that a record 672 inmates slept on the floor in November. Earlier reports indicate that over 43% of prisoners are foreign nationals, with 31% lacking residence rights altogether.
The federal government has allocated €60 million annually to tackle overcrowding, aiming to add 1,105 prison spaces by 2027 and another 932 by 2030.
