Elaborations on the shifts in the landscape of social aid and services for prisoners in Flanders (Belgium). Reflections on the new strategic plan 2015-2020.

On 17 July 2015, the Flemish government approved the first strategic plan for the period 2015-2020 in relation to the social aid and assistance for detainees in prisons in Flanders and Brussels. This plan fol- lows Flemish law of 2013 on the organisation of social aid and services which provides the drafting of such a strategic plan for each legislature. In this article we focus on the historical evolution of the forms of social aid and services in Flemish and Brussels prisons, and also outline the context in which the cur- rent social aid and services takes place. Then we will discuss a number of strategic options for the future which are included in this new strategic plan 2015-2020 and focus on more overarching themes namely (1) the bridge between inside and outside prison, (2) the growing participation and involvement of pris- oners and (3) health care for certain prisoners with specific needs.