Overcrowding in prison

It is a well-known problem that Belgian prisons are overcrowded.
This often results in dire situations for detainees.

Not only people who have been convicted, but also people awaiting trial and thus on remand, stay in prison. The latter are innocent until they are finally sentenced.
Although these people were deprived of their freedom, they are entitled to humane treatment.

Overcrowding causes lack of hygiene, unrest between inmates, frustration and stress. This does not benefit psychological well-being and also indirectly affects our society. After all, inmates are meant to reintegrate into society over time and work on their rehabilitation.

Although public opinion often sees retribution as the goal of punishment, this is not the main objective. Rehabilitation of prisoners is indeed an objective along with the protection of our society. For this reason, alternative punishments also exist so that not everyone has to end up in prison.

When a criminal court finds you guilty, punishment follows. The judge has a choice between different punishments with prison as the last option.

Depending on the facts and circumstances in which a crime was committed, the judge may impose one or more sentences.

community service, electronic monitoring and conditional release are some examples of alternative sentences to prison.

Some alternative sentences (such as community service) require the agreement of the offender. Scientific research has already shown that long custodial sentences are not useful and often encourage recidivism (relapse).

Alternative sentencing is thus an excellent way to combat prison overcrowding while making room for inmates who pose an effective danger to our society.