Today, almost 43% of inmates in Belgium are foreign nationals, often without a residence permit, well above the European average of 25%. For years, this was ignored, allowing a backlog of thousands of convicted individuals awaiting the enforcement of their sentence to build up.
With the Arizona plan, the government puts an end to this situation and sets a clear goal: to return to the European average of 25% foreign inmates in prison by the end of the legislature.
A set of measures, overseen by the judge, is planned to end the phenomenon of inmates sleeping on the floor, without sacrificing security. But these exceptional measures will only be activated if the targets for the removal and transfer of foreign inmates are actually met. The expansion of enforcement arrangements is therefore not a blank cheque: it is conditional on concrete results in terms of returns.
In concrete terms:
prison sentences of up to 18 months will be served automatically under electronic monitoring, but always under the supervision of the sentence enforcement judge, excluding the most serious offences (terrorism, sexual offences, serious violence, drugs);
for sentences between 18 months and 10 years, electronic monitoring may be granted 18 months before the end of the sentence, provided that a third of it has already been served, again under judicial supervision;
early release due to overcrowding, on the other hand, is being restricted: it will only be possible for sentences of less than three years and until the end of 2027, and remains excluded for the most serious offences.
The activation of this set of measures is conditional on measurable results in the return of foreign inmates. By May 2026, at least 250 forced removals and 50 inter-state transfers must have been carried out. By April 2027, the target is set at 2,000 forced return operations, including at least 275 to Morocco, 500 transfers of European inmates with particular focus on neighbouring countries, and 150 transfers to other states, including at least 30 to Morocco. The goal is clear: to make the return of foreign inmates the primary lever in the fight against prison overcrowding.
Increased capacity in Belgium and abroad
At the same time, detention capacity is being increased, both in closed centres and in prisons. By 30 September 2026, 108 additional places will be created in closed centres, notably in Vottem and the 127bis closed centre, thanks to the recruitment of 110 additional full-time equivalents and infrastructure investment.
On the prison front, a broader action plan provides for the creation of at least 1,300 additional prison places in the short and medium term: 607 places in 2026, 420 in 2027 and 275 in 2028, through new prisons, detention houses, modular units and forensic infrastructure. A new Prisons Masterplan IV will be submitted to the Council of Ministers by 29 May 2026 at the latest, to anchor these choices in a long-term strategy.
Like Denmark, Belgium is also preparing agreements to develop detention capacity abroad, specifically for convicts residing illegally in the country. The competent ministers will present options for partner countries by the end of 2026, along with a clear legal framework and strict conditions for compliance with international standards.
Enhanced security in prisons and zero tolerance
For these measures to be credible, security in prisons is being strengthened. A plan to rebuild prison staffing levels is being implemented, recruitment procedures are being accelerated and extended to citizens of other EU member states who speak a national language, and private security officers will, in clearly defined roles with no direct contact with inmates, relieve staff of non-essential tasks. The first applications are planned in the prisons of Antwerp, then Saint-Gilles, as well as in certain closed centres.
Finally, the government applies zero tolerance towards terrorism, recidivism and impunity: glorification of terrorism is criminalised, electronic monitoring with conditions is introduced for pre-trial detention, monitoring of those convicted of terrorism may be extended after their sentence, and conditional release will be reserved for those with legal residence rights. The 'polluter pays' principle will be implemented so that those who cause damage, particularly to public property, are actually required to make repairs.
With these measures, the MR sets a clear course: no longer accept prison overcrowding, act at every stage, from entry to release, and commit to firm decisions on the return of foreign inmates. Sentences will be enforced, inmates residing illegally will be returned to their home countries, and both citizens' security and the management of our prisons will emerge stronger.