The canton of Vaud wants to create a “prison waiting area” in Orbe

The Vaud Council of State wants to create “a prison waiting area” (ZAC) with 60 places on the site of the Penitentiary Pole of the North Vaud in Orbe. Moreover, Objective: to unclog prison areas in the currently overloaded police premises, where detention regularly exceeds 48 hours authorized. Nevertheless, – Canton vaud wants create "prison

(Keystone-ATS) The new modular structure of Orbe will offer, “conditions in accordance with detention of more than 48 hours”, explains the State of Vaud on Friday canton vaud wants create “prison in a press release. However, This building will essentially welcome people in detention before judgment, awaiting placement in an appropriate establishment.

The new ZAC under study will include a walk area. a medical sector, visit and sport rooms, as well as administrative premises. The site will be secured by a perimeter enclosure, specifies the press release.

Depending on the projections, around thirty positions will be necessary to allow the operation of the structure. The ZAC will benefit from already existing services in Orbe such as the laundry room. Additionally, the kitchen of the Establishments of the Plaine de l’Orbe (EPO) for the delivery of meals.

For the end of 2027

The creation of this ZAC must still obtain the green light from the Grand Council. then the building permit. The work could then start in the fall of 2026 for a commissioning from the end of 2027. The total cost of the project canton vaud wants create “prison is estimated at 28.5 million francs.

According to the Council of State. this solution will make it possible to respond to the recommendations of the Visitors of the Grand Council, which regularly denounces the poor prison conditions in the Vaudois prisons, and in particular excessive detention durations in the police.

Record increase

In its latest report in early 2025. the visitors’ commission noted that the duration of detention in the prison areas of the police premises had a new record increase. Stays have reached up to 49 days at the Lausanne police hotel, far beyond the 48 hours authorized.

The situation was considered equally alarming in the mobile gendarmerie centers (CGM) visited. where detentions lasted up to 44 days (CGM of Blécherette and Yverdon-les-Bains).