On October 10th a revolt breaks out in the prison of Andenne. Most of the time, after an uprising, prisoners are put in isolation or transferred. Therefore, we have to make do with information from the media that contradicts themselves on certain details and the supposed motives of the uprising.
As it occurs more in Belgium with riots and revolts in prisons, also this time prisoners didn't make clear demands. According to the prison officials, this revolt is a signal from long-time prisoners who don't have any hope for a release on parole. Fact is, paroles are granted less and less. The establishment of a new kind of court, that among other things deal with parole grants, only confirms this. "A great part of the prisoners have no hope whatsoever for a release and will have to serve their time. As a result, less and less people return after a leave, which in its turn reduces the leaves. The situation becomes unbearable and the risks for revolts increases." as a 'Ringolevio' (1) stated in May 2007.
Around 7 o'clock, during yard time, about 70 prisoners throw up barricades in two wings. Windows are smashed, sanitary destroyed and the electric circuit got "dealt with". A small fire was set. The press talks about "destruction of the wing." The fire department and the police arrives quickly in large numbers (local and federal police and the special intervention squad) but apparently, only the police mediators have intervened. "When the prisoners are so extremely tensed, we don't enter such premises. We don't wish to become a bird for the cat," according to chief of police Carpentier (Arches police department).
In one wing, the riot calms down after a while. In the second wing, the riot ends after a couple of hours. When a prison official tries to restore the peace through 'dialog', a jar of chocolate spread hits her in the face. She was in shock.
The damage is estimated at 10,000 euros. At least one prisoner will be charged for destruction and GBH. In Andenne it has been two years since a revolt like this occurred.
The day after the revolt a deliberation took place between the prison management and the police about the measures that have to be taken to prevent the next revolt.
(1) A name taken by rebellious prisoners who want to stay anonymous.
Anarchist Black Cross of Antwerp