Contacted by us, Denis Balthazar, president of the SLFP Namur-Luxembourg, spoke of “a gratuitous attack” on the part of a “determined” individual, who had been isolated in the dungeon for several days.
The severity of the injuries of the officers transferred to hospital is not formally known. One victim suffered from a severe concussion and another from an eye injury. Denis Balthazar specifies that one of them lost consciousness.
Service minimum
The incident aroused strong emotion among prison staff who, in agreement with management, will apply the minimum service until Saturday morning.
According to protocol 507 enshrined in the legislation, the minimum service guarantees prisoners various compulsory tasks, including access to meals, hygiene and care, as well as one hour daily in the courtyard. Other activities, including a theatrical performance which was to take place in the presence of a minister, were canceled.
“The protest movement does not target the local management of the Andenne prison. The director acted as she should, going so far as to accompany the victims to the hospital to worry about their state of health”, nuance permanent secretary Claudine Coupienne, from the justice sector at the CSC.
The union leader especially points to the recurring overcrowding and the lack of prison staff which, according to her, generate a climate of violence, an increase in incidents and ever more difficult working conditions for prison officers.
Transfer requested
Following the incident which occurred on Friday morning, a team from the Arches police zone went to the scene. The transfer of the inmate has been requested. For its part, the Namur public prosecutor’s office indicates that it will communicate on these facts “at the appropriate time.”
