Wever’s government tabled a bill on Thursday to monitor and sanction prisoners in the country more severely, including those benefiting from electronic surveillance, written on Saturday Sudinfo.
First, the Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden now wishes to criminalize the escape of detainees – which would then risk a sentence of 6 months to 3 years in prison – and the degradation of electronic surveillance equipment (same penalty). For the moment, an advanced detainee does not commit “crime” and cannot be prosecuted if there is no other offense.
Drug tests in prison
Another important element of this bill: the creation of a legal basis to allow the administration to organize drug tests within Belgian prisons.
The bill will be examined in the House after the start of the parliamentary school. He could come into force, as the government hoped, no later than May 1, 2026.
