The court of first instance of East Flanders and the prison of Dendermonde
On 26 March 2026, the auditors of the High Studies for Security and Defence (HSSD) spent a full day learning about the workings of the judicial and prison systems, during an immersive visit to Dendermonde.
The morning began at the court of first instance of East Flanders, where the auditors attended a presentation by the president of the court, Peter Marcoen.
Mr Marcoen spoke about the essential role of the court, the daily challenges facing the justice system (workload, complex procedures, societal expectations) as well as the efforts made to increase efficiency and boost public confidence.
The visit to the court continued with detailed explanations provided by multiple speakers. An investigative judge outlined his role in criminal investigations; the president of the chamber of council explained the legal framework of the decisions that are made; finally, a guided visit of the building provided an insight into the organisation and workings of the frontline justice system.
The afternoon was dedicated to the prison of Dendermonde, a major institution within the Belgian prison system.
An introductory presentation highlighted the role of the Directorate General of the Penitentiary Services (EPI DG), the future challenges (management of the prison population, safety, infrastructure, social reintegration) as well as the fundamental missions of the prison administration.
Afterwards, there was time for a cordial Q&A session, providing an opportunity to revisit the issues raised in the morning. The guided visit of the prison offered a concrete insight into the day-to-day workings of the facility: internal organisation, management of the inmates, security measures, surveillance routines, the functioning of the internal services and the collaboration with the judicial authorities. This activity perfectly encapsulates the goal of the HSSD: to provide a direct, pragmatic and multidimensional insight into the institutions that preserve the state of law and public security.
