Detainee threatens prison guards with cutlery in Antwerp, prison guard in Merksplas receives punches in the face | Merksplas

The incident in the Antwerp prison occurred on Saturday evening. “The man took his cutlery and acted threateningly towards the staff,” says an anonymous source. “He refused to go back to his cell and demanded to be given tobacco. He was quite verbally aggressive.” Eventually the police were called and when the intervention team arrived at the department, the detainee could be convinced to surrender. That happened without resistance. The man was then placed in a security cell. The man was also searched and a razor blade was found. The police have drawn up a report. The detainee may later have to answer for the threats in court.

The Prison Service confirms the news. “While the food was being distributed, the detainee stood in the hallway with two forks and acted threateningly towards the staff,” says Valérie Callebaut of the Prison Service. “Our officers tried to calm him down and get the situation under control, but the person involved did not want to cooperate and continued to act threateningly. We then informed the police. This was on site very quickly. They also persuaded him and in the end he quickly surrendered without putting up any resistance. We have already held a short debriefing with everyone. Everyone responded well, and the situation was quickly defused.”

An incident also occurred in Merksplas prison on Saturday evening. A prison guard is said to have received several blows for no concrete reason. “A detainee punched the officer in the lip twice,” says Valérie Callebaut. “The officials intervened immediately. At their request he returned and quietly went to his own room. The employee involved has left his shift, has been informed about the industrial accident procedure and will be seen by the reception team. The reception team was also called in for the officers present at the incident.”