The Prison Service has launched an investigation after prison officers that work at Ieper Prison in West Flanders filmed a prisoner that was lying unconscious in a hospital bed. VRT News sources report that the prison officers were at the hospital to guard the prisoners where he had undergone an opperation.
Disciplinary investigation underway after prison officers at Ieper Gaol film prisoner lying unconscious in hospital bed
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The incident reportedly took place last November but came to the attention of the Prison’s Department last month. 2 prison officers had been sent to the AZ Jan Yperman hospital to guard the prisoner while he underwent an operation. While the prisoner was lying in bed before awaking from the aesthetic the guards started to get bored.
They filmed each other and commented on the “boring” task that they had been given. At one point the prisoner is also filmed. He is lying in bed topless. One of the 2 prison officers then went to stand by the man and gives a double thumbs up sign. The film was allegedly sent to a third prison officer from the prison.
In the meantime, the film has come to the attention of the Prison Service. The Service’s spokeswoman Kathleen Van de Vijver confirms that a disciplinary investigation is now underway. "Both the local and the regional management was informed in March 2025 of the unprofessional behaviour at the hospital. Those concerned have already been told to justify their actions. Once the investigation has been completed disciplinary measures will be taken by the prison governor”.