Belgian prison overcrowding crisis grows, sparking government and union concerns nationwide. Gent Prison conditions ruled unlawful; capacity limits ordered within six months period.
Daily fines threaten state if inmate numbers exceed new limits, officials warn forcibly.
Union strikes followed safety concerns, inadequate staff support, and infrastructure deficiencies highlighted. Inmates sleep on mats, creating unrest; police and extra personnel assist operations.
Updated master plan proposed extending older prisons, expanding capacity, and encouraging technology use. Unions claim reforms fail to address structural issues, threaten further protest actions ahead.