And with us?
In Belgium, the government of Wever judges, in its government declaration “acceptable/reasonable to put certain prisoners to use to cover all or part of the cost of their incarceration, according to their assets“. This sum would be”proportional to the penalty inflicted and the ability of the prisoner concerned “. The text also recalls the government’s intention “to actively encourage prisoners to work during their detention. “ Only here, The measurement seems difficult to set up as the prisons overflow and lack the means. According to the prison administration, Belgium has 11,049 places in prison, for more than 13,000 detainees.
An incomprehensible proposal for the actors of the sectors
For Kris Meurant, spokesperson for the Brussels Federation of Institutions for Prisoners and Ex-Dested (Fidex), this proposal by Gérald Darmanin “does not make sense“. The Keeper of the French Seals, just like the government of Wever, “entered a regime that promotes deprivation of freedom”. For its part, the central prison surveillance council (CCSP), denounces “a low-standard populism “. The organization recalls that the income of detainees must first be used to compensate the victims, then “cleanly“Prisoners. For the Fidex, incarceration is not the solution, at least not for all prisoners. “”We can for example consider general interest work for the least serious penalties “explains Kris Meurant. A solution that would allow “Save money and promote reintegration “. The problem of prison overcrowding will never be resolved since “The most we create prison places, the most we fill them“, estimates the spokesperson.
Work to integrate?
Political speeches defend the work of prisoners as a means of integrating into society. For Didier Breulheid, unionist in the CSC Sector Prison, Labor “can help prisoners put their foots in the stirrup“But their remuneration is too low to ask them for a contribution. It is also insufficient to readjust to active life:”If the detainee had an income equivalent to that which he could have outside, with compensation from the victims, he could learn to manage a budget, to take responsibility and reintegrate into the company “. The trade unionist also laments the lack of job offers for prisoners: “Protected workshops prefer to employ disabled people and external employers do not want to hire prisoners because their productivity is not high enough“. If the Belgian government’s proposal is to adapt the amount of the contribution to the heritage of the prisoner, the CCSP recalls that”Each judge already takes into account the financial situation of each defendant “. The work of detainees seems to be an old political catchphrase, more intended to seduce opinion than to be implemented.
Belgian prisons in figures
– 38 prisons on national territory
– The prison capacity of Belgian prisons is 11,049 places, but the country currently has 13,000 prisoners.
-in 2023, Belgium is the 4th country in Europe where prison overcrowding is the most important
– an inmate costs between 150 and 200 euros per day
– 40% of imprisoned people work
– detainees can earn between 100 and 250 euros by working in prison
