In Belgium, prison inmates must be searched upon intake. Those with sentences exceeding 3 months must wear a prison uniform while inmates with lesser sentences can usually wear their own clothes. Prison rules govern the inmates' personal hygiene, medical treatment, meals, searches, inmate recreation, and commissary services. Inmates who violate the prison's regulations may have workshop, library, visiting, and correspondence privileges suspended. However, to avoid harming the inmate's relationship with his family, authorities may invoke the latter two punishments only when the violation has occurred during such a visit or an exchange of correspondence. Confinement to isolation cells may be ordered only as a last resort and may not exceed 9 consecutive days. Only the warden can authorize the use of handcuffs and straitjackets for prisoners who present a physical danger to themselves or others. Current issues that confront the Belgian correctional system relate to alternative sanctions, parole, mentally deranged offenders, and juveniles. 3 tables and 5 references