Belgium Considers Floating Prison to Tackle Overcrowding

Belgian authorities are considering a novel approach to address severe prison overcrowding: a floating prison capable of housing over 300 detainees. The proposal, reported Friday by De Tijd / L’Echo, comes as the country grapples with a critical shortage of cell space.

The Netherlands has prior experience with floating detention facilities. Since the 2015 refugee crisis, a Dutch pontoon has been used in Ghent to accommodate migrants, though not as a traditional prison setting. Currently, it continues to serve this purpose. Federal Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) is now evaluating whether Belgium can utilize a similar vessel to house between 300 and 350 prisoners.

The private sector has already expressed interest in the project. A consortium including Belgian security firm Protection Unit has submitted a proposal to operate a floating prison. Steven Van Doorne, director at Protection Unit, believes a Dutch pontoon could be operational as early as this summer.

However, the Justice Ministry is not yet fully committed to the idea. According to Verlinden, numerous steps are required to transform a floating structure into a functioning prison. This includes obtaining the necessary authorizations and constructing security infrastructure on land, such as fencing, facilities for personnel, and visitor parking.

A significant challenge is the existing shortage of prison guards. Provisions must be made for safe outdoor recreation areas for inmates, and the fire safety of such a floating structure needs to be thoroughly tested. It is also possible that legislative changes will be required to clearly define the responsibilities of public authorities versus private companies in managing prisons.

Despite these hurdles, Verlinden emphasized that all potential solutions – including a detention vessel – are being thoroughly examined, and no options are being dismissed. The move comes amid growing pressure to alleviate overcrowding, a problem that has been exacerbated in recent years.

France is also facing similar issues with prison overcrowding, and has considered renting cells abroad, though this idea has met with skepticism from prison staff, according to a report from Euronews. The French Controller-General for Places of Deprivation of Liberty, Dominique Simmonot, pointed to logistical and legal challenges, as well as difficulties with family visits, that arose when the Netherlands rented prison beds to Belgium. Belgium ultimately abandoned that project.

Belgium’s consideration of a floating prison reflects a broader search for innovative solutions to address the growing crisis of prison overcrowding across Europe. The country’s move is being closely watched as a potential model – or cautionary tale – for other nations facing similar challenges.