Maaike De Vreese: “More foreign prisoners should serve their sentences in their home countries”

Belgium is now transferring more convicted criminals with foreign nationality abroad than it is bringing Belgian prisoners back from foreign jails. This is evident from figures requested by MP Maaike De Vreese from Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden (cd&v). Yet the system remains underused. “We’re heading in the right direction, but the pace is far too slow. Justice needs to step things up,” says Maaike De Vreese.

Real potential lies with third-country nationals

Between 2020 and 2025, 449 criminals were transferred from Belgium to other countries, compared to 175 who were returned to Belgium. Over six years, that results in a net difference of 274 more convicted offenders sent abroad than received. This trend is also visible year by year: +23 (2020), +74 (2021), +34 (2022), +56 (2023), +50 (2024) and +37 (2025). The most common nationalities in these cases are Romanian, Dutch and French.

“This is a positive development, but it also shows that much more can be done,” says Maaike De Vreese. “If you look at the nationalities involved, it’s clear that these cases mainly concern EU citizens. The real potential lies with third-country nationals, and that’s where we’re missing opportunities.” For instance, in 2025 only three Moroccan inmates were transferred to their country of origin, compared to fifteen in 2013—even though cooperation with Morocco has recently improved.

The federal government is continuing to expand its network of international agreements. New agreements have recently been concluded with Cambodia, and negotiations are ongoing with Tunisia and Egypt. Belgium can now initiate transfer procedures with around 90 countries. “That’s a good thing, also for Belgians detained abroad,” says Maaike De Vreese. “Take Tanguy Taller, who has been held for years in dire conditions in Cambodia. Thanks to a new agreement, he may be able to serve his sentence in Belgium. But agreements alone are not enough—without proper implementation, they remain a dead letter.”

Capacity within the justice system remains a bottleneck

Within the FPS Justice, these cases are handled by the Prisoner Transfer Unit, which currently has only seven staff members. Five additional staff will be added by the end of 2026. “That’s a step forward, but it also highlights that the service has been understaffed for years,” says Maaike De Vreese. “If we take this instrument seriously, we need sufficient capacity and swift, decisive follow-up.”

“This tool allows us to ease pressure on our prisons while sending a clear message: those who commit crimes here and are not Belgian will serve their sentence in their home country. But for that to happen, Minister Annelies Verlinden must ensure her administration has the necessary support and manpower to operate at full speed,” Maaike De Vreese concludes.