Belgium is facing a growing prison crisis as inmate numbers rise sharply and overcrowding reaches critical levels, according to a new report from the Central Prison Monitoring Council (CCSP). The watchdog says the situation has now become severe enough to raise humanitarian concerns.
Between 2023 and 2025, Belgium’s prison population increased by 21%. The number of inmates rose from 11,053 to 13,363 during this period. At the same time, prison capacity has not grown at a similar pace, creating mounting pressure across the correctional system.
The CCSP report, published on Monday, says the overcrowding rate reached 19.27% by the end of 2025. Officials describe the situation as “catastrophic,” warning that conditions inside prisons are deteriorating quickly.
CCSP vice-president Pieter Houbey said the overcrowding has reached “the proportions of a humanitarian crisis.” His statement reflects growing concern among prison authorities about living conditions and safety inside detention facilities.
The report highlights several serious consequences of the overcrowding. These include increased tension among inmates, operational difficulties for staff, and reduced ability to manage daily prison operations effectively.
Prison staff are also under significant pressure. The CCSP says workers are dealing with heavier workloads and more stressful conditions as facilities struggle to manage rising inmate numbers.
In some prisons, the lack of space has led to inmates sleeping on mattresses placed directly on the floor. Officials say this situation has become more common in recent months, reflecting the severity of the overcrowding problem.
In April alone, 763 detainees were recorded sleeping in such conditions, marking a new high. The report warns that this practice highlights the system’s inability to provide basic accommodation standards.
Despite government announcements aimed at addressing the issue in 2025, the CCSP says conditions have continued to worsen. The report calls for urgent reforms, including a legal limit on prison capacity.
The watchdog also recommends banning the use of floor mattresses for detainees, arguing that such measures are necessary to ensure minimum living standards in detention facilities.
The growing crisis has also had leadership implications. The director of Haren prison, Jurgen Van Poecke, reportedly announced on May 11 that he will step down at the end of the month. While no official reason was confirmed, the decision comes amid mounting pressure on prison management.
Tensions in the system have also led to industrial action. Prison staff recently staged a general strike over overcrowding and workload concerns. The strike reflects broader dissatisfaction among employees who say the system is no longer sustainable under current conditions.
Belgium’s prison system has long faced challenges, but the latest figures suggest a rapid deterioration in a short period of time. The sharp increase in inmate numbers, combined with limited expansion of infrastructure, has created a widening gap between demand and capacity.
Experts warn that without structural reforms, conditions could continue to decline. The CCSP report suggests that immediate action is needed to prevent further strain on staff and inmates alike.
As pressure builds on the justice system, the debate over prison reform in Belgium is expected to intensify. Authorities now face growing calls to address overcrowding before conditions worsen further.
