All convictions of over four months must now be served, says justice minister

Federal justice minister Annemie Turtelboom announced yesterday that all prison sentences longer than four months could now be served, either in prison or via electronic ankle bracelets. In the past, sentences of up to three years were often not served because of overcrowded prisons and a lack of electronic surveillance.

Overcrowding is now no longer the problem it was, she said, with the building of new prisons, more expatriations of illegal aliens and the expanded use of electronic surveillance, which is effectively house arrest. Early last year, she announced that all sentences above six months could be served in prison. Now that 1,750 convicts are using bracelets, space has opened up for new prisoners, and the number has fallen to four months.

However, unions claim there is still a lack of staff and other resources both inside and outside prisons, where external agencies have to monitor those wearing ankle bands. There is a waiting list for those who still need to begin their sentence via electronic surveillance.

The fourth-month plan is “unrealistic,” according to the socialist trade union representing prison officers. “The reality is that there are insufficient staff and resources,” said spokesperson Gino Hoppe.