Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Hasselt Prison will repair 50 of 115 broken cameras and install 12 new ones. Deputy Alain Yzermans and Minister Annelies Verlinden oversee the project among 640 inmates in overcrowded conditions.
As VRT News reported, Hasselt Prison is taking steps to fix serious problems in its security system. Authorities have now announced that 50 of the 115 broken cameras will be repaired. This is a first step in improving security at the prison, but many cameras are still not working.
“Twelve new cameras will also be installed. Prison overcrowding continues to cause enormous tension. Therefore, good security is absolutely essential,”
Yzermans responded.
“I inquired about this a year ago, but the entire security project is still pending. It’s a comprehensive approach that aligns cells, cameras, and the alarm center. This requires millions of euros in investments, which were announced last year. It’s crucial that this is now actually implemented,”
Yzermans explains.
What security upgrades are happening at Hasselt prison, with 50 cameras repaired?
Authorities said 50 of the broken cameras will be fixed in the first phase.
“This is already a step in the right direction. But I continue to advocate for full security throughout the prison,”
said Yzermans.
Minister of Justice Verlinden announced the plan in the Justice Committee. Officials stressed that it is important to carry out the work quickly to protect both staff and inmates. Yzermans, who previously inspected the prison and raised concerns about the malfunctioning cameras, said the repairs are expected in the coming weeks and months.
He said timely work is essential to restore proper monitoring and reduce blind spots. While repairing these cameras is an important step, officials note that ongoing attention and further measures will be needed to keep Hasselt Prison safe.
In May 2025, Hasselt Prison faced serious security problems. Federal deputy Alain Yzermans found that 115 of 220 cameras were not working, and many screens in the central security room were often switched off.
At the time, the prison was also overcrowded, holding around 640 inmates, well above its capacity of 450. Yzermans called on Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden to take immediate action and introduce temporary measures. He also urged long-term improvements to restore proper surveillance and make the prison safer for both staff and inmates.
Similar security projects have taken place in other Belgian prisons. Between 2020 and 2022, Dendermonde Prison was built with more than 680 cameras to improve surveillance and replace some guard duties.
In September 2025, authorities began testing autonomous drones to monitor prison perimeters, including at Haren Prison. Since 2024, high-tech phone scanners have also been installed in several prisons to detect illegal mobile phones.
Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.
