The prison of Dendermonde is the most recent of the Belgian prisons. It opened in March 2023 and replaces the old prison in Dendermonde. It is both a remand prison and a prison for convicts and has a capacity of 444 places for male inmates. It is built and operated based on a public-private partnership (DBFM agreement).
The prison has a modern star-shaped form and consists of 4 large units, connected partially through glass corridors:
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entrance building, including e.g. courtrooms
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services building, including e.g. visiting facilities, classrooms
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cellular complex:
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logistics building, including large workhouses
The use of glass as a main building material as well as the integration of art, colour and several green zones in the prison design provides for a more humane living and work climate.
The new prisons of Dendermonde and Haren are the first Belgian prisons where custodial tasks are carried out by detention counsellors and security officers, new specialised staff roles replacing the sole role of prison officer.