Strasbourg, 26 June 2012 - The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published today the report on its recent visit to Tilburg Prison.

In application of an Interstate Convention concluded in October 2009, the Dutch authorities make available to Belgium the premises of Tilburg Prison and its staff, for the purpose of detaining persons serving final sentences imposed by Belgian courts. By this means, the Belgium authorities are attempting to combat the overcrowding which currently affects their country’s penitentiary system while waiting for the results of the “Master Plan for a more humane prison infrastructure”.

The CPT delegation received no allegations of ill-treatment of prisoners by prison staff at Tilburg Prison. On the contrary, the great majority of inmates emphasised the professional attitude and respect shown to them by the prison staff. (more...)

- Belgium and the Council of Europe
- The Netherlands and the Council of Europe