Two serious incidents in a short time in Ghent prison: Parket is investigating the death of prisoner (Ghent)

It was a jailer who found the body of the prisoner in his cell on Friday. According to sources, he still tried to resuscitate, but in vain. Afterwards it turned out that the prisoner died of an overdose of drugs. Police and public prosecutor came to the scene and opened an investigation into a suspicious death. This is to clear whether it is an overdose whether there is any harm.

The prison system confirms this week’s death, but refers for further communication to the East-Flemish public prosecutor’s office. « The investigation is ongoing, » says a prison spokeswoman. The prisoner’s cell mate would also have been questioned, just like prison staff who was working.

Read too. « Even the prisoners tell us that it is no longer possible »: trade unions are sounding the alarm and start to stop again

It was the second heavy incident in the prison in Ghent in a short time. Last week another prisoner, an interned, was injured after he jumped down in the corridor of the cell complex of the second floor. He first crawled over the balustrade, on which they tried to talk to him, but in the end the prisoner jumped anyway.

The interned survived the fall, but was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. « He was taken care of in the hospital, » says the prison system, which does not want to comment on the facts.

« We are waiting for the research, » responds trade unionist Dieter Cools (ACOD) to the facts. « But the staff is already very affected. » He himself refers to the difficult living and working conditions in prison due to the overpopulation. « The overcrowding inevitably ensures a severe frequency of incidents, which are often heavy. »

Those who have questions about suicide or needs a conversation can visit the suicide line via the free number 1813 or www.zelfmoord1813.be.