Merksplas, Antwerp

Centre pour illégaux de Merksplas (CIM)

Belgium

Status

In use

2026

Type: Immigration detention centre (Administrative)

Custodial Authority: Office des Etrangers, Office des Etrangers (Immigration Office), Office des étrangers

Management: Office des Etrangers (Governmental)

Detains: Adult men, Asylum seekers (administrative), Undocumented migrants (administrative)

Capacity Reported population Deaths at facility
142
62

27 April 2020

Yes

25 December 2023

Belgium

4,915

Migration Detainee Entries

10,825

Apprehensions of Non-Citizens

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ABOUT

The Merksplas closed center (CIM) is located on the grounds of the Merksplas Colony that also houses a prison. The center's capacity is 180 places (and 40 additional places). Block 5 serves as the facility’s medical wing, where individuals are held in isolation.

FACILITY NAMES
Centre pour illégaux de Merksplas (CIM)
Location

Country: Belgium

City & Region: Merksplas, Antwerp, Europe

Latitude, Longitude: 51.3570853, 4.8289514

Contact Information
Steenweg op Wortel 1A,
2330 Mersplas Belgium
Tel. +32 (0)14 63 91 10 Fax +32 (0)14 63 91 20

MANAGEMENT & BUDGET

Center Status
Status
Year
In use
2026
In use
2024
In use
2023
In use
2022
In use
2020
In use
2019
In use
2017
In use
2015
In use
2010
Facility type
Category
Type
Year
Administrative
Immigration detention centre
2026
Administrative
Immigration detention centre
2019
Administrative
Immigration detention centre
2017
Administrative
Immigration detention centre
2010
National typology
Official Typology
Year
Centre pour IIlégaux
2026
Centre pour illégaux/centre fermé
2017
Management
Management
Type
Year
Office des Etrangers
Governmental
2026
Office des Etrangers
Governmental
2019
l’Office belge des Etrangers
Governmental
2015
Custodial Authorities
Agency
Ministry
Ministry type
Year
Office des Etrangers
Service Public Fédéral Intérieur (Interior Federal Public Service)
Interior or Home Affairs
2026
Office des Etrangers (Immigration Office)
Home and Security
Internal or Public Security
2019
Office des étrangers
Service Public Fédéral Intérieur
Interior or Home Affairs
2010
Operating Period
Year of entry
Year ceased
1994

DETAINEES

Demographics

Adult men

2026

Adult men

2018

Adult women

2010

Adult men

2010

Families

2010

Accompanied minors

2010
Categories of detainees

Undocumented migrants (administrative)

2019

Asylum seekers (administrative)

2019

Asylum seekers (administrative)

2010

Undocumented migrants (administrative)

2010
At-Risk Populations

People exhibiting mental or physical health illnesses

2024

SIZE & POPULATION

Capacity (specialised migration-related facility)

Type Standard capacity

Capacity 142

2026

Type Standard capacity

Capacity 220

2025

Type Standard capacity

Capacity 110

2023

Type Standard capacity

Capacity 71

2020

Type Standard capacity

Capacity 146

2019

Type Standard capacity

Capacity 172

2006
Facility Average Daily Population (year)

Number 145

2004

Number 153

2003
Total Migration Detainees: Entries + Remaining from Previous Year

Number 1350

2018

Number 1216

2008

Number 1094

2007

Number 955

2006

Number 925

2005

Number 1297

2003
Migration Detainee Entries

Number 715

2024

Number 764

2023
Reported Single-Day Migration Detainee Population at Facility (day)
Number
Date
62
27 April 2020

LENGTH OF DETENTION

Detention Timeframe (long, medium, short)

Length Long-term (more than 20 days)

2019

Length Long-term (more than 20 days)

2010
Average Days in Detention

Number of Days 42

2022

Number of Days 40

2018

Number of Days 35.8

2008

Number of Days 38.2

2007

Number of Days 36.1

2006

Number of Days 45

2005

Number of Days 50.7

2004

Number of Days 41.9

2003

OUTCOMES

CONDITIONS

Inadequate conditions
Inadequate Conditions
Obvs. Date
2026

CARCERAL INDICATORS

External Security Regime

Security Level Secure

2019

Security Level Secure

2010

STAFF

SEGREGATION

Gender Segregation

Gender Segregation Not Applicable

2018
Legal Segregation

Legal Segregation Not Applicable

2010

Legal Segregation Not Applicable

Family Segregation

Family Segregation Not Applicable

2018

CELLS

COMMUNAL SPACE & ACTIVITIES

HEALTH

Overall assessment of facility health care provision

Score Deficient (“Deficient” or “At Risk”)

2020
Reports of Deaths
Name of deceased individual
Date of death
Tamazi Rasoian
25 December 2023
N.A.
7 January 2024
N.A.
February 2023
N.A.
30 April 2008
Reports of self-harming
Self harm reported
Incident/Report date
Yes
1 7 January
Yes
1 25 December

MONITORING & ACCESS

Family Access

Family Access Yes

2019

TELECOMMUNICATIONS