Increase in elderly prisoner population prompts calls for major prison system reforms. Aging inmates rise sharply in Belgium, straining facilities and healthcare resources simultaneously.
Over seven years, prisoner numbers above sixty grew significantly in Belgian detention centers.
Experts urge comprehensive, integrated policies addressing older inmates’ distinct care requirements now. CTRG highlights urgent need to balance security, healthcare, and human dignity together.
Specialized wards exist in Merksplas and Saint-Hubert prisons for supporting elderly inmates. Proposed reforms include holistic geriatric care and reintegration plans for elderly detainees.