The prosecutor’s office has carried out a large-scale operation at Haren Prison in Brussels. The operation was part of a criminal investigation into corruption at the jail. The Brussels Prosecutor’s Office says that a total of 12 people have been arrested. They include prison officers and other prison staff as well as convicts that continued their criminal activities from their cells.
The operation took place earlier on Tuesday. The prosecutor’s office says that several properties were searched at 12 people have been arrested.
Both prison and inmates involved
VRT News has learned from a reliable source that prison officers, other prison staff and inmates at the prison are involved. One of the allegations is that convicted drug criminals bribe staff to smuggle mobile phones into prisons so that they can continue their criminal activities from their cells.
Tackling corruption, particularly in Brussels prisons, is one of the public prosecutor's office's stated priorities.
In a statement the prosecutor’s office said that “Corruption in prisons poses a direct threat to public safety and the integrity of the judicial system. It undermines security within penal 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.”