Belgium’s prison system has announced the early release to 139 prisoners in a bid to combat overpopulation in the country’s jails.
Around 100 detainees were released over the week starting September 16 in what has proved a controversial move. So far this year, around 600 prisoners have already been released early. All were granted extended penitentiary leave, which lasts until the end of their sentence, effectively allowing them to live as free individuals.
Kathleen Van de Vijver, spokeswoman of the Belgian Prison System, claimed those most recently released early have had to meet strict conditions.
“Not every inmate qualifies for this. It only applies to those who would have been released within six months, so the public has no reason to be concerned,” she told the daily HLN on September 20.
Alongside the requirement of being within six months or less of their original release date, an inmate must have served at least a third of their sentence. Those in the latest release programme cannot have been sentenced to more than 15 years, excluding the most serious criminals.
Terror suspects, sexual delinquents and illegal migrants will not enjoy early release.
“Prisoners must be able to prove that they have a permanent residence in Belgium. And they are also not allowed to leave the country during the period until the end of their sentence”, Van de Vijver said.
Prisoners who are released under the latest measure have been allowed to go home and not wear electronic tags.
The progress of those involved will be evaluated monthly, it has been reported. In the case of a negative evaluation, a former prisoner’s release can be revoked.
Having 600 fewer prisoners in in custody has only resulted in a slight reduction in overcrowding; Belgium has an official capacity of 11,010 inmates but currently, 12,353 people reside in Belgian prisons. In addition, there are also new detainees – 64 in the past week alone.
According to news website HLN, prisoners set to be released early are not informed nor prepared for it.
“A cellmate has no home, no job, and no income. Suddenly, he’s released months before his scheduled release date. He was completely stressed out. That’s asking for trouble,” the newspaper quoted an inmate as saying.
Van De Vijver denied that and said the detainees in question were required to contact someone from the outside to prove they had a place to stay.
Armed robbery, rape, manslaughter and conviction for grievous bodily harm can all result in sentences of under 15 years in Belgium.
