Discussion is once again underway in Luxembourg about building another prison. Serge Legil, Director of Prisons, has suggested opening a fourth or even fifth facility as a possible solution.
However, the association 'eran, eraus... an elo?' believes that simply expanding capacity misses the point.
They are now calling for a thorough analysis of why the number of detainees is rising, rather than focusing solely on constructing new prisons.
Christian Richartz, founder of the association and a former prisoner himself, is critical of linking effective security policy to full prisons.
He contends that it is misguided for the government to see high occupancy as a success, arguing that this represents a fundamental shift in political discourse compared to previous years.
Richartz also believes that recent statements by Minister of Justice Élisabeth Margue, including those shared on social media, reflect this change in attitude towards prison policy.
The association attributes the increase in inmates primarily to a tougher interpretation and application of criminal law.
They point out that, despite crime levels in Luxembourg remaining relatively stable, penalties are now being imposed more strictly, and sentencing has become more severe.
They also question whether it is necessary to respond to every new offence with a prison sentence and highlight that other countries, such as Belgium, have moved towards a different approach.
Since 1 September, Belgium’s new penal code only considers prison as a last resort, providing an example of a system where alternatives are prioritised.
Short-term solutions to relieve pressure on prisons also exist, according to the association. They point to the greater use of electronic ankle bracelets, currently available but used only to a limited extent in Luxembourg, as a way to alleviate overcrowding, especially at Uerschterhaff prison, which houses pre-trial detainees.
Electronic monitoring has been part of judicial supervision since 2018, but the association notes it is not widely applied.
The association further criticises the lack of comprehensive data on crime trends in Luxembourg. They have called for the creation of a crime observatory, arguing that, despite repeated claims over the past fifty years that the situation is worsening, there are no reliable figures to support these assertions.
The association believes that better data would inform more effective, evidence-based policy decisions.
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