It is a “very strict” detention regime that awaits the 88 detainees of Vendin-le-Vieil (Pas-de-Calais). The high -security prison has been “fully occupied” since the transfer in the night of Thursday to the last nine prisoners on Thursday, announces Gérald Darmanin on X. “Some others, who came in particular from the overseas territories, will arrive in September”, specifies the Minister of Justice.
It was in this prison that was transferred on July 24 Mohamed Amra, whose bloody escape in May 2024 in Eure cost the lives of two penitentiary agents.
Critics of lawyers
These transfers in Vendin did not come without a stir. The association of criminal lawyers (adapt) filed at the end of July, appeal to the Council of State to request the cancellation of the decree on the districts of the fight against organized crime. The adapt criticizes in particular “a lack of transparency when determining the persons envisaged for the placement” in these districts.
The conditions of detention are “difficult”, but they “perfectly respect human dignity”, argues the Keeper of the Seals. According to him, 80 % of detainees transferred to Vendin-le-Vieil are in pre-trial detention.
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Gérald Darmanin also thanked “the prison administration for having kept, within very short deadlines, the transformation and the establishment of this unique prison in France” as well as the prison agents and the police mobilized for these “successful” operations.
