A delegation from ACOD Prisons took action on Tuesday morning around 9:00 am at the High Council of Justice in Brussels, where a social consultation with the Justice Cabinet took place simultaneously. The union members complained about the inhumane working conditions in Belgian prisons and advocated additional investments. About ten guards and union members were present at the action.
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“Since the austerity measures of previous governments, Belgian prisons have been under enormous pressure, due to overcrowding and a persistent staff shortage,” says Dieter Cools of ACOD Prisons. ACOD therefore wants to focus on a safe living and working environment for prison staff, “but we believe this is only possible if there are structural changes to a number of things.”
“Working conditions in prisons have deteriorated dramatically for staff and detainees,” said Cools. “Overcrowding leads to more aggression towards prison staff, which further increases the workload,” says Cools. “We ask for a good personnel policy, but also new investments in infrastructure and the building of new prisons.”
“Together with the Minister of Civil Service Petra De Sutter (Green), we concluded a preliminary agreement earlier this year. But that preliminary agreement did not reach the budget,” Cools continues. “We want to sit around the table again with the next government and see the preliminary agreement implemented.”
Earlier this week, ACOD Prisons submitted a strike notice for September 25. As a result, a social consultation round took place simultaneously in the building of the High Council of Justice between the Justice Cabinet and ACOD Prisons. “This social consultation serves to find solutions. But given that the problem has been going on for years, we have little confidence that this will succeed.” If the consultation does not succeed in its aim, “actions will follow.”
This article is originally published on bruzz.be
