Mechelen (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Mechelen’s court system is dealing with the problems because of overcrowded prisons, with 12,316 inmates but only 10,743 spaces. Director Dirk Jansen says there aren’t enough staff. Judge Philippe Van Linthout notes that late prisoners waste time and delay justice.
Mechelen is having big issues with its court system because prisoners often arrive late for their court dates. This is frustrating for judges, lawyers, and everyone involved in the cases. The problem is linked to overcrowding in Belgian prisons, especially in Mechelen. Many jails are full and can’t take in new inmates. As of early March 2024, there were about 12,316 prisoners in Belgium, but the prisons only have room for around 10,743, which means they are about 15% overcrowded.
What are the implications of staff shortages and overcrowding at Mechelen prison on the legal?
The director of Mechelen prison, Dirk Janssen, says they don’t have enough staff and resources to handle the growing number of inmates. This makes it difficult to get prisoners to court, causing problems in the legal system. As the situation worsens, the courts in Mechelen might get overwhelmed, which could affect the rights of the people involved. The delays also lead to more waiting time for trials, making it harder to manage justice in the area. This is part of a bigger issue in Belgium how prisons are run and their conditions.
According to Judge Philippe Van Linthout when prisoners are late or don’t show up, a lot of important time is wasted. This means judges, clerks, and lawyers have to wait around and can’t get any work done, which messes up their whole schedule. They have many cases to deal with and want to avoid rushing and making mistakes. He highlights that everyone has the right to see a judge, and victims are left waiting nervously, which is hard for them.
Most prisoners who need to go to court in Mechelen are in the nearby Mechelen prison, just a kilometer away. However, it’s tough to say who is responsible for the delays. Sometimes, police take prisoners to Antwerp first, which causes problems because Mechelen also handles serious cases like robbery and drugs. The police in charge of moving prisoners are short on staff, so transfers often don’t happen on time, leading to longer waiting times. They are trying to find solutions to fix this.
