The police building is owned by the Buildings Agency and they are also giving the building a new purpose. At the back of the site they want to build a small-scale, closed detention house for about 30 people. The intention of the detention center is to re-execute short sentences. Prisoners receive the right guidance with a view to their reintegration into society.
“A phenomenon that many central cities have to contend with is that young criminals keep recurring to criminal offenses and accumulating conviction after conviction. To break that spiral, we are finally implementing short sentences and investing in detention houses. The fact that this approach works is we see, for example, in Kortrijk. Many convicts found a job from the detention center and thus got on the right path,” says Paul Van Tichelt, Minister of Justice.
In addition to the new purpose, the outside of the building is also being given a new look. For example, a green zone will be provided that will be accessible to residents and passers-by.