Large-scale police operation tackles corruption at Haren prison

A major operation aimed at tackling corruption at Haren prison has resulted in 12 arrests, including of prison guards.

Justice minister Annelies Verlinden said that she wanted to step up the fight against drug networks in prisons with additional resources and a special security regime. Resources could include tech to jam phone signals and more drug-sniffing dogs.

“Corruption within the Brussels penitentiary institutions is being monitored with increased attention as part of the management plan of the public prosecutor,” a statement from the Brussels public prosecutor’s office reads.

“Corruption in prisons poses a direct threat to public safety and the integrity of the judicial system. It undermines security within institutions and promotes illegal trade, both inside and outside prison walls.

"The Brussels public prosecutor's office confirms its determination to rigorously prosecute any breach of the integrity of institutions and to ensure that prisons remain places of justice, security and reintegration."

Several searches were carried out during the operation, which focused on prison guards and other staff members who allegedly traffic drugs in the prison, as well as prisoners who are accused of continuing their criminal activities from their cells.

According to La Capitale, 11 suspects were arrested at home and one person was arrested during the raid on the prison, which began at 7.00 and entailed a thorough search with police dogs.

The Prison Service said it was cooperating fully with the investigation and prison director Jurgen Van Poecke has declined to personally comment.

While the public prosecutor’s office has not provided specific details about the case, public prosecutor Aurélie-Anne De Vos said that corruption in prisons "in general" mainly involves the smuggling of mobile phones, food and drugs.

The large-scale operation at Haren comes after a visit to the prison by public prosecutor Julien Moinil, together with Brussels mayor Philippe Close (PS) who described the situation in the complex as “a disaster”.

The mayor said large crowd barriers will be placed around the prison to make smuggling more difficult.

Prisoners who continue to run criminal networks while incarcerated may be placed under a special security regime. Currently, an assessment is being made of which penitentiary institutions and infrastructure are best suited for this purpose.

“Minister Verlinden emphasises the importance of the large-scale police operations that regularly take place in prisons in the fight against drugs and thanks the police services and public prosecutors for their sustained efforts,” her office said in a statement.

Yasin Sarikiya, vice-president of the CSC union, which is responsible for Brussels prisons, said the news of guards’ involvement in drug trafficking was not unexpected.

“It doesn't surprise me – it's the largest prison in Belgium at the moment,” said Sarikiya.

“It was built not long ago. Unfortunately, some of the guards are very young, and for some of them it's their first job.”

A large-scale police operation was also carried out at Haren prison on 16 June, during which quantities of drugs were discovered, leading to the opening of seven new legal cases.

No link has been established between the two operations by the public prosecutor's office.