An indefinite strike has been going on in prisons since last night. The three major unions called for the action after consultations with Minister of Justice Paul Van Tigchelt (Open VLD) about overcrowding and staff shortages failed.
The strike actions have led to staff shortages in several prisons, requiring police assistance and requisitioning of staff.
According to figures from the Directorate General of Penitentiary Institutions, a total of 90 guards have been requisitioned in Flanders: 38 for the morning shift, 13 for the day shift and 39 for the evening shift. The total of 44 guards that West Flemish Governor Carl Decaluwé has requisitioned for the Bruges prison have not been counted by the prison system. Including them, the total number for Flanders is at least 134.
The help of twenty police officers was also called in for the prisons in Brussels. On the Walloon side, three people have also been requisitioned to provide the morning service in the prison of Marneffe, in the province of Liège.
