France's Prison Overcrowding Crisis: Minister of Justice's Update
The French Minister of Justice, Didier Migaud, announced on November 10, 2024, that the ambitious goal of adding 15,000 new prison places by 2027 is unlikely to be met. This initiative, launched in 2017 under President Emmanuel Macron, aimed to alleviate chronic prison overcrowding that has plagued France for years. Currently, only 4,500 new places have been completed, highlighting significant delays attributed not to funding shortages, but rather to 'land difficulties' and local opposition to the establishment of new facilities, particularly closed educational and semi-open centers. Migaud indicated that he would propose 'exceptional procedures' to bypass local resistance when necessary, especially for facilities deemed of national interest.
As of October 1, 2024, France's prison population reached a staggering 79,631, marking a new record and reflecting a prison density of 127.9%. This situation positions France as one of the worst offenders in Europe regarding prison overcrowding, trailing only Cyprus and Romania, according to a recent Council of Europe study.
Tackling Drug Trafficking: New Measures Proposed
In conjunction with addressing prison overcrowding, Minister Migaud also emphasized the seriousness of drug trafficking in France, advocating for stricter measures to combat this growing issue. During a discussion on France Inter, he rejected the term 'Mexicanization' used by some officials to describe the escalating violence linked to drug trafficking, while acknowledging the alarming trends.
Migaud's proposed legislation, set for Senate debate at the end of January, aims to enhance state responses to drug-related crimes. Key components of this plan include the establishment of a 'national coordination unit' against drug trafficking and improved collaboration among various judicial authorities. Furthermore, he supports the creation of a 'national prosecutor's office' to address organized crime comprehensively.
To ensure the safety and order within prisons, Migaud suggested isolating convicted drug traffickers within specific areas of existing detention centers. He also advocated for the enhancement of technological measures, such as jamming systems for mobile phones, to prevent criminal activities from being orchestrated from behind bars.
Overall, Migaud's announcements reflect a dual approach to addressing France's pressing issues of prison overcrowding and drug trafficking, aiming for immediate and long-term solutions.
