The long-standing poor detention conditions in Belgian prisons include impossible visits, unreliable access to showers and infrequent courtyard time. Since the beginning of guards strike on 26 April 2016, additional tensions have emerged. During the current Ramadan period, these 2 factors have an exacerbated effect on Muslim detainees, who represent an estimate of 45% of the incarcerated population in Belgium according to prison representatives. Inhumane detention conditions
Meals. Under normal circumstances, in some prisons, detainees who plan to observe Ramadan must notify the prison administration in order to receive a microwave and a fridge to allow them to eat after the sunset. In some other centres, their meals are served at the end of the day. However, due to staff reorganisation caused by the strike, all meals are distributed at once, at noon.
Religious offices. Traditionally, more prayers are held during this period but it won't be the case in most prisons due an insufficient availability of guards to ensure security. Imams will have limited access to their followers.
Additional courtyard time. Generally organised in the evening during the summer, they allow detainees (and specially those who are fasting) to share their difficulties and support each other. But it is often impossible to set up such time during the strike. Given that those who observe Ramadan tend to stay awake for a large part of the night and sleep a large part of the day during Ramadan, this means that they might not get any courtyard time.
Prison directors fears an increase of tensions during the month of fasting.
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