Significant overpopulation in Marche-en-Famenne and strike this Tuesday
The common front strike in penitentiary establishments is maintained for this Tuesday. Mr. Balthazart recalls the demands of the unions: reducing prison overcrowding and insecurity at work, improving the well-being of staff. Three axes of demands which particularly resonate in this tense period in prisons, as confirmed by the president of the SLFP-prison: “in Marche-en-Famenne, we have a population of 350 prisoners and it even rose above last week. However, we consider that when we reach the number of 312 inmates, we are overcrowded. It’s so much so that we are forced to put women in neighborhoods reserved for men. So all of this leads to aggression.”
Dozens of prison officers sick or unable to work in Marche-en-Famenne
The trade unionist also points out a great deal of unhappiness among staff: “Out of a cadre of 200 prison officers in Marche, 60 are sick or unable to work every day. This greatly reduces services and is a cause of additional tension among inmates as services are reduced. The unease has been palpable at Marche-en-Famenne prison for quite some time. The number of work accidents and sickness absences is proof of this.”
We will also recall that a month ago, an inmate at Marche-en-Famenne prison set fire to the mattress in his cell, causing enormous smoke releases. A guard was hospitalized because he was intoxicated.
Mr. Balthazart also says that the director is himself ill, replaced for the moment by a director: Ms. Sandra Cedrone.
“Inmates have homemade knives in their cells”
When asked how it is possible for an inmate to have a knife in his cell, Mr. Balthazart explains: “I am often asked this question. But you shouldn’t believe that they have plastic cutlery to butter their toast, eh. Just sharpen a knife on a stone to make a weapon. If not that, anything can act as a knife: a chicken bone, etc.”
He notes that the number of gratuitous attacks is increasing: “15 days ago at Arlon prison, a guard was attacked and he is still unable to work; last week it was in Andenne that 5 agents were attacked. And even with guards who are good at it, it’s not easy to deal with this violence. prisoners take substances that make them very dangerous and increase their strength and determination tenfold. There are also psychiatric cases in certain prisons which have nothing to do there. These inmates can lose their temper at any time. And I’m not talking about radicalization in prison which can make inmates even more aggressive.” he concludes.
We tried to contact the management of Marche-en-Famenne prison in vain.
