Belgium’s prison population has risen to 13,400, leaving nearly 500 inmates sleeping on mattresses on the floor due to a shortage of beds, the prison administration confirmed on Monday. The nationwide total is up from 13,173 the previous week, with francophone prisons seeing the largest increase.
The lack of capacity has pushed 183 inmates in Wallonia and 316 in Flanders to sleep without proper beds.
Prison organisations and administrators have long warned about overcrowding and the risks it poses to staff.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure that the prison system remains functional in the interests of public safety,” said a spokesperson for the administration. “However, this situation is no longer acceptable to our staff. Urgent action is needed.”
