Key figures
Detention centres in Belgium accommodate around 500 people on average. Every year, approximately 6,000 people are locked in for a medium period of time of 30 days.
The Aliens Office’s 2014 statistical report indicates that 5,602 foreigners were detained in a closed centre, i.e. a record low in the past 10 years (they were 8,742 in 2006).
The total number of foreigners removed to their countries of origin or transit from closed centres in 2014 reached 4,360, while 1,095 were released (or 19,5 %).
The Myria (Federal Migration Centre) provides an analysis of the above figures.
In 2014, JRS Belgium visited approximately 400 people in the various closed centres.