Unrest has erupted in the Gent prison “De Nieuwe Wandeling,” with tensions escalating sharply this weekend. The disturbances began late Friday night, shortly after 22:00, when inmates on three wings reacted violently to the sudden failure of their cell televisions. This incident, confirmed by Robby De Kaey of the ACOD union, triggered banging on doors, damage to shop kiosks, and fires.
- Onrust breekt uit in Gentse gevangenis
- Gedetineerden protesteren door tv-uitval
- Politie grijpt in na celweigering
- Technische dienst herstelt tv-storingen snel
- Vakbonden klagen over personeelstekort
- Overbevolking verhoogt spanningen en onrust
On 2025-08-02 18:16:00, the situation remained unstable as around seventy inmates refused to return to their cells following their outdoor walk. Police intervention was necessary to restore order. The prison authorities acknowledged the disruptions, citing both technical issues with the TVs and recent staff strike actions that led to cancelled visits.
What lies behind this unrest, and how might it affect the future of prison management in Belgium? The following fast answer provides insight.
Why has this unrest flared up now? The root causes seem clear: inmates’ frustration over disrupted routines and cancelled visits, compounded by systemic issues. Can Belgian authorities address these problems before further incidents occur?
- Overcrowding and lack of psychiatric support strain the prison environment.
- Staff shortages hinder effective management and safety.
- Technical failures, like TV outages, can quickly escalate tensions.
- Recent strike actions reflect deeper dissatisfaction among prison staff.
Looking ahead, authorities must prioritize resolving staffing gaps and improving inmate facilities to prevent future unrest. Will Belgian policymakers take decisive action to restore stability and ensure humane prison conditions?
