“At least 1 ‘super secure’ prison needed”

29 October 2007

BRUSSELS – Justice specialist from the Flemish Christian Democrats (CD&V) Tony Van Parys says that Belgium needs at least one “super secure prison.” This facility should be equipped with the latest technology, making escapes and escape attempts via helicopter impossible. Van Parys said this to press agency Belga on Monday in a reaction to the escape of gangster Nordin Benallal from the Itter prison this weekend.

“It is remarkable that someone known for his escape history can escape from a prison that is purportedly the most secure and modern in the country,” says Van Parys. The justice specialist also pointed out that the last government had promised to look into whether security cables could be placed in inner courtyards after a similar escape from the Lantin prison.

“This kind of system costs a great deal of money and can pose problems to the evacuation of prisoners, but it is a question of priorities. The fundamental criticism remains that it has taken much too long for the state to recognise that there are serious problems at the justice department and in prisons. That is why the next government should make it a priority to invest in these areas. There should, for example, be at least one super secure prison in the country equipped with the latest technology, certainly now that it is known that helicopters are being used in escape attempts,” Van Parys adds.

[Copyright Expatica News 2007]

Subject: Belgian news