Hasselt (Eurotoday Newspaper): Hasselt prison, meant for 450 inmates, now holds 623, causing food and living problems. Lawyer Michiel Van Kelecom has filed a complaint about the overcrowding situation.
The prison in Hasselt is designed for 450 inmates, but it currently holds 623 prisoners, which is 200 more than capacity. This overcrowding creates problems, especially since the budget is based on the official capacity. Lawyer Michiel Van Kelecom, who represents one of the inmates, says the food meant for 450 people is now shared among more prisoners, leading to smaller portions. This raises concerns about the nutrition of the inmate’s nutrition
What actions will address the overcrowding crisis in Belgian prisons?
A formal complaint has been filed with the complaints committee, which is an independent group that reviews issues from inmates. The complaint points out the poor living conditions caused by overcrowding and the lack of resources for the number of prisoners. This situation highlights a larger problem of prison overcrowding in Belgium, where limited resources and bad living conditions are affecting both inmates and staff.
According to Kristof Muyters from the ACOD union, each prisoner usually gets about 4.90 euros for food, but because of overcrowding, it has dropped to around 3.50 euros. He notes that while there is enough food, it has to be shared more, and meals have changed from steak to cheaper options like hamburgers or sausages. However, prison spokesperson Kathleen Van De Vijver says there is enough food, although they have slightly reduced meat or fish portions from 175 grams to 150 grams, other food amounts remain the same.
Prisons have cut extras like chocolate and special meals because of budget limits. The daily food budget is now 4.93 euros, but prices are increasing. With over 600 prisoners in Hasselt, the budget changes every month. While inmates can buy snacks in the canteen, a lawyer is worried about overcrowding. He says the government’s plan is causing problems, as some prisoners are spending a month in jail and a month at home, making it hard for them to work and pay rent.
Comments
6 responses to “Overcrowding at Hasselt Prison: 623 Inmates Prompt Lawyer Michiel Van Kelecom to Highlight Nutrition Issues”
-
Oh, brilliant, 623 inmates in a prison meant for 450—who needs a Michelin star when you can serve up gourmet “hamburgers” and “suspicious sausages” on a budget of 3.50 euros each? 🍔🇧🇪 Guess it’s a free-for-all at mealtime; just don’t expect to find the “fine dining” you might get at your average Brussels café! 😏
-
Well, nothing says “luxury living” quite like being served sausage instead of steak in a prison designed for 450 but crammed with 623—who knew that overcrowding comes with a side of nutritional concerns? 🍽️😅 Guess they’re taking “survival of the fittest” to a whole new level!
-
Well, who knew that the key to a balanced diet was actually sharing a plate with your 200 closest friends? 🍽️ Maybe we should just call it a “conjugal buffet” instead of a prison meal plan, eh? 😜
-
Seems like Hasselt prison’s gone from an exclusive five-star dining experience to a budget-friendly “all-you-can-share” buffet. 🍔 Who knew overcrowding could turn steak nights into sausage specials? Talk about a downgrade! 😂
-
Is this a prison or a budget hotel? 🤔 623 inmates squeezed into a place built for 450, and they’re complaining about *nutrition*? At this rate, the inmate gourmet meal will be instant noodles and a side of despair! 🍝💔
-
Who knew that prison could double as a culinary disaster zone? 🍔 Next, they’ll be swapping out the porridge for a bowl of air and calling it haute cuisine! 🤷♂️
Last News
The Ayoub Aïssiou Case: Caught Between Extradition and Allegations of Political Persecution
Spain Will Not Sacrifice Its Dignity for a Few Barrels of Oil
Since July 25, 2026, Ayoub Aïssiou has been held in a detention center in Barcelona, awaiting extradition to Algeria. He has committed no crime; rather, he is a political target of the Algerian regime due to his media activism and support for the democratic opposition.
A Peaceful Dissident, Victim of a Political Vendetta
EU Expands Russia Sanctions List by Adding 5 Individuals Following Ukraine Attacks
Although the press release does not specify any particular attack, Russia launched one of its deadliest assaults on the Ukrainian capital earl
Iceland Centers Fisheries in EU Referendum
Iceland’s debate over closer EU ties is focused on who controls the fish. Ahead of a referendum on August 29, the government insists that any future membership agreement must protect the country’s fisheries authority. The vote will decide whether n
Italy Declares Independence from Spain’s Border Check Directives
In its announcement, Rome stated it would maintain these controls “at least until August 15 and, in any case, until security and terrorism risks to Italy can be completely ruled out,&
After years of sanctions: Russia launched the MS-21 – the plane intended to replace Boeing and Airbus
/CROSS/ The MS-21, Russia’s latest passenger plane, has completed its maiden flight. This marks the first flight of a fully import-substituted serial aircraft, in the configuration that airlines will eventually receive. The delivery deadline is now set for 2027. Despite hurdles, Russia has developed an aircraft that is expected to serve for the next 30-40 years.
The MS-21’s first ful
Madrid Warns of Retaliation if Italy Maintains Border Controls on Spanish Travelers
Despite Italy being the EU country with the highest number of irregular crossings in recent years—sometimes double Spain̵
78 Arrests in Crackdown on Major Western Mediterranean Smuggling Network in Spain
Loading application.Please wait.
Related coverage: SOLACE: Improving lung cancer screening in Europe | Iceland Puts Fisheries at Heart of EU Referendum | EBA, EIOPA and ESMA call for enhanced governance and consistent supervision to mitigate ICT risks from frontier AI models in the EU financial sector
L’Europe souhaite se libérer de sa dépendance à Palantir
EU Rights Groups Alarmed by Freedom of Religion and Expression in South Korea
HRWF (07.08.2026) — Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), in collaboration with CAP Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), ECOSOC-accredited at the UN, FOREF, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter, conducted a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club addressing “Freedom of Religion or Belief and Freedom of Expression in Sout
Drones: playing an "increasingly important role in Europe’s economy and security"
Drone technologies are evolving quickly and that future EU action should prioritise its ability to detect, prevent and respond to malicious activities in the European airspace.
That is the key message in an opinion adopted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
The EESC, based in Brussels, says that, at the same time, Europe must develop its competitiveness and strategic resilience
Leave a Reply