Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The guards working in the Antwerp prison are putting up a stiff fight against the move to relocate employees to the new detention facility in Antwerp since they feel that the reorganization will cause them to be separated from each other and their commute will also become tough. This is amid Belgium’s prison services struggling with overcrowded prisons, lack of personnel, and frequent strikes in recent times.
What is the new Antwerp prison and when will it open?
This new prison, dubbed “De Kade” and situated in Olieweg, part of the Blue Gate Antwerp industrial park area, is now finally getting close to use a decade after its launch in 2013. It is set to have an official inauguration on 2 September 2026, but a gradual launch is the most viable option due to ongoing problems with staff recruitment and the unwillingness of the current workers to move to the new Begijnenstraat facility. Requiring 340 staff overall, it has so far managed to hire only 100 additional police officers since February, who are being trained at the current Begijnenstraat prison.
The complete transfer of male inmates is currently expected on 9 November 2026, after a series of tests on weekends with staff and volunteer inmates. Union spokesmen insist that the full operation will not be taking place this year as there is no adequate number of staff available.
How will transfers affect couples and teams working together?
Staff opposition stems from the concern that the long-established team relationships that include couples would be disrupted by the seniority-based process of assignment in connection with the relocation. Robby De Kaey of ACOD, which is a socialist trade union representing prison staff, has stated that many prison officers have already signalled their desire to stay at the old prison, but some have been told that they will be transferred regardless.
“Er zijn heel wat mensen die hebben aangegeven dat ze in de oude gevangenis wilden blijven. Sommigen kregen al te horen dat ze door hun anciënniteit verplicht zullen moeten overstappen voor de opstart. Zo worden koppels die nu samenwerken gesplitst en moeten die zich qua woon-werkverkeer organiseren,”
De Kaey said, highlighting how the reorganisation will disrupt family logistics, commuting arrangements and established team dynamics.
The problem does not just stem from a professional issue for many of the workers; it is a highly personal matter due to the fact that couples that had organized their schedules around their joint appointments must now confront the very real possibility of being stationed at different places or on different shifts. This is yet another complication for an already over-stretched workforce.
What are the commuting and transport problems for staff?
Apart from the issues regarding the hiring and internal regulations, there are other practical aspects of transportation that make the relocation more difficult for staff members. The prison in the area of Hoboken-Polder does not have enough transport services for workers whose shift begins at 6:10 a.m., as the train to the Hoboken-Polder prison does not operate at that time. As for the bus line number 313, which will serve the new location from September and will run directly in front of the prison, its service starts at 7:45 a.m.
This means that those who work on early shifts and use public transportation will have to walk an additional 20-30 minutes one way. Such problems have been communicated to the city authorities of Antwerp and regional representatives many times, including Antwerp Alderman Koen Kennis and Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder of the N-VA party, but there have been no tangible actions yet.
Why do some guards feel less safe in the new prison layout?
The other issue has to do with the design of the new building, which is quite different from the conventional “star” model of the Begijnenstraat building that most experienced police officers equate to mutual security. According to De Kaey, the new building comprises several buildings that are spaced out across a wide area.
“Het gaat om losstaande, aparte gebouwen, op grote afstand van elkaar. Daarmee heeft het personeel het gevoel niet meer allemaal samen te staan, en niet meer elkaars veiligheid te zijn, zoals in de stervormige Begijnenstraat. Mensen met twintig jaar dienst willen niet naar een omgeving waar ze niet weten hoe het met hun collega gaat,”
he said, capturing the anxiety of long-serving officers who fear reduced situational awareness and weaker collective protection.
The design of the old prison ensured that there was visual and physical closeness to the guards, enabling them to respond swiftly to any eventuality and assist each other. In contrast, De Kade’s spread-out design, even though contemporary, is viewed as being more exposed to vulnerability, particularly considering that assault against prison officers has become commonplace.
