Redevelopment of Women’s Block Planned at Luxembourg Prison Centre

On Friday 15 May 2026, Luxembourg’s Minister of Justice, Elisabeth Margue, and Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity as well as Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Yuriko Backes, visited the Luxembourg Prison Centre (Centre pénitentiaire de Luxembourg - CPL) following the Ombudsman’s report published in November 2025.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Diversity, the visit forms part of the government’s efforts to continue ensuring the proper functioning of prison facilities by guaranteeing detention conditions “that are dignified and adapted to the evolving prison population”, while strengthening reintegration and support measures. The visit also took place in a context where the situation of women detained at the CPL remains, in certain respects, less favourable than that of men, although improvements are already underway, notably through better access to activities and workshops while respecting security requirements. However, a structural and lasting improvement of the situation can only be fully achieved through the planned rehabilitation measures.

Among the measures under consideration is the redevelopment of Block F, dedicated to women detainees. The ministries described this adaptation as “an important first step” towards better addressing the specific needs of women detainees and improving detention conditions.

The redevelopment forms part of the broader rehabilitation of the Luxembourg Prison Centre. The works will be carried out in stages and in a structured manner, including extensions, the modernisation of existing infrastructure, the adaptation of detention spaces to current needs, and the development of environments more suited to work, training and socio-educational activities. Related studies are currently underway.

The objective is to strengthen long-term reintegration prospects and adapt the Luxembourg Prison Centre to current challenges facing the prison system. “By promoting better penitentiary support, we strengthen our capacity to sustainably prevent reoffending and, consequently, to better protect society. This requires modernised infrastructure as well as sufficient staffing levels within prison facilities. It is essential that prison officers are able to carry out their duties under optimal conditions, both to guarantee their safety and to ensure effective support for detainees,” stated Minister Margue.

In the presence of the Director General of the Prison Administration, Serge Legil, Deputy Director General Caroline Lieffrig, Luxembourg Prison Centre Director Joke Van der Stricht, Deputy Director Paul Poeker, acting Director of the Public Buildings Administration Anne Negretti and project manager Isabelle Wertz, the ministers visited the prison facilities, which currently house 392 detainees: 352 convicted men and forty women, including 22 women in pre-trial detention.

The ministries noted that the guided tour of the site was preceded by a presentation of the prison centre and its specific features, as well as an overview of ongoing improvement and maintenance works and future developments and studies.

During the visit, Minister Backes stated: “This meeting made it possible to exchange views with the teams in order to better understand their needs as well as the challenges of daily work. The work carried out within the women’s section contributes to support, listening and preparation for reintegration.” She added: “We will continue to follow this important matter with particular attention, notably regarding adequate infrastructure and consideration of the specific needs of women detainees, from a perspective of dignity, equality and sustainable reintegration.”