A New Complaint System for Prisoners in Belgium

This chapter introduces and reflects on the creation of a new complaint system in the prisons of Belgium. Since 1 October 2020, prisoners can file complaints with the newly created Complaint and Appeal Commissions about any decision of the prison governor that directly affects them. This has been an important innovation which was already foreseen in 2005 when the Belgian Prison Act was adopted, but it only recently came into effect. The chapter discusses the historical background and the main features of this new complaint system and offers some reflections on the first years of its functioning (2020–2023).