Minister invests in urgent prison security 04/09/2006 00:00

4 September 2006

BRUSSELS — Justice Minister Laurette Onkelinx has compiled a list of all security works to be performed on the nation's jails before the end of the year.

The total cost of the works will amount to EUR 13.269 million, news agency Belga reported on Monday.
 
The construction works are aimed at improving security in the nation's jails and will be carried out after the spectacular escape of 28 inmates from the Dendermonde prison last month.

In some prisons, wooden cell doors will be replaced with heavy metal doors, stronger locks will be installed and windows replaced.

The installation or replacement of an intercom system is planned at the Antwerp, Sint-Gillis (Saint-Gilles) and Vorst jails. Surveillance rooms are to be installed or replaced at Vorst, Dendermonde, Merksplas and Wortel.

Movement detection systems will be installed and walls reinforced at the jails of Ittre, Dendermonde, Nivelles, Antwerp, Merksplas, Leuven, Andenne and Verviers.

Security at the entry to the prisons at Doornik, Nivelles, Ieper, Mechelen, Merksplas and Turnhout will be improved.

The fire alarm system will be assessed at Vorst, Nivelles, Paifve, Oudenaarde, Namur and Leuven while a pilot project involving the blocking of mobile phone traffic will be carried out at Antwerp and Ittre.

The prison works come after Minister Onkelinx came under heavy criticism for the mass jail break at Dendermonde. In defence, the Socialist PS minister claimed that deteriorating prison security was a collective responsibility.

[Copyright Expatica News 2006]

Subject: Belgian news