Belgium: Mass early releases to combat prison overcrowding, Mirsad H. burns his ex-partner alive in front of 5 of their 6 children
This is a first in Belgium. On April 4, 2025, to combat prison overcrowding, the administration declared an "open day" in the country's prisons, allowing certain inmates to leave before the end of their sentence. But not everyone is entitled to this early release. The lucky ones selected must not have been convicted of sexual crimes, murder, or terrorism, and must be serving less than fifteen years in prison. Mirsad H., incarcerated in Hasselt prison, is among those chosen. Sentenced to three years in prison in 2023, the 35-year-old man is therefore benefiting from this " extended release permit "—the minister's words—six months early. But even if he has neither killed nor raped, the individual is no choirboy...
[…] At 2:30 p.m. that same day, it wasn't her, but one of the children who contacted the emergency services. The poor kid explained that his father had come back and had " hurt Mom ." That's an understatement. […] The Minister of Justice has already announced that he would put an end to these "extended release permits." Good call! Along with the rest of the government, he is reportedly considering " other measures to reduce prison overcrowding ." Unfortunately, it took a woman being burned alive to arrive at this obvious conclusion: "prison" and "open doors" are not concepts that should be married...
Fdesouche
