BrugesIn the prison of Bruges there has been power again since 4.30 pm onFriday, after two days of electricity problems. When the emergency generatoralso broke down on Friday, all activity within the walls came to a standstill.In the end they got the diesel engines up and running again, but they now seemto be sputtering again, VTM NIEUWS reports. As a result, only a minimum ofelectricity is available. The telephone in the cells is available again andthe television could also be switched on again. “They hope that the problemswill be solved by Monday.”
Due to the power outage, an emergency and intervention plan had come intoeffect and the guards received support from civil defense and local police.Emergency lighting was also provided in case the blackout continued. That wasnot unthinkable. The institution had to deal with just as many blackouts injust two days. The emergency generator was put into operation to bridge theweekend after the electricity went out for the first time on Thursday morning.
On Friday afternoon, however, disaster struck. Just before 3 p.m., theemergency generator also went out. The prison was thus confronted with twoblackouts in as many days. In the meantime, the Buildings Agency startedlooking for an external emergency generator, while awaiting a possible repairof the emergency generator. Around 4.30 pm there was (for now) good news: thediesel engines of the emergency generators were running again thanks to a newpump.
Visitors
Spokeswoman Kathleen Van De Vijver previously said that every detainee is in acell and that the general power failure did not cause major tensions. Visitorswere able to leave the prison during the breakdown and inmates on a walk wereescorted back to the building. An emergency and intervention plan went intoeffect and civil defense and local police went to the scene to provide supportto the guards.
The emergency generator now serves to bridge the weekend, as the originalelectricity problem could not be addressed until Monday at the earliest. “Insuch a situation, priority is always given to the safety of staff anddetainees,” says Alain Blancke of the ACV. “It is important that we canprovide those people with their basic needs. It is now important that astructural solution is found. comes in the long run.”
Cold meal
Another striking fact: according to our information, the guards were asked onThursday to bring a cold meal and if possible also a flashlight. At thePrisons they do not want to confirm or elaborate on it. According to ourinformation, the flashlight would rather be preventive and not because thereis no lighting within the prison walls.
You cannot view this content
This content includes cookies from social media or other external platforms.Because you have disabled these cookies, this content will remain hidden.Please accept social media cookies to still display the content.
Open privacy settings
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss out on any of the stars.