French authorities revealed plans for a high-security prison in French Guiana, set to open by 2028, as part of a crackdown on drug trafficking and organized crime. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin described the €400 million facility, located deep in the Amazon jungle, as integral to incapacitating influential drug lords. The decision stems from mounting violent incidents related to criminal organizations in French prisons. The prison will hold 500 inmates under stringent conditions, cutting them off from their networks while also implementing new legislation aimed at gang activity.
### France Announces Construction of High-Security Prison in Amazon for Drug Traffickers
### France Announces Construction of High-Security Prison in Amazon for Drug Traffickers
The new facility aims to combat organized crime and enhance prison security amidst rising gang violence.
France is gearing up to build a high-security prison in French Guiana, targeting drug traffickers and radical extremists, as announced by Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin during his recent visit to the territory. The ambitious €400 million project, set in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, aims to stem organized crime and reduce violence linked to perceived failings in prison security amid a spate of violent prison-related incidents across France.
The planned facility will host up to 500 inmates and feature a dedicated wing for the most dangerous criminals. This move follows ongoing challenges with drug trafficking in the region, prompting authorities to adopt strict measures. The location in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, strategically positioned as a drugs corridor from South America, aims to hinder criminals' ability to remain linked to their organizations.
Darmanin emphasized that the prison would operate under an "extremely strict carceral regime," focused on disrupting the drug supply chain by removing key players at its beginning. With recent events underscoring the vulnerability of French prisons to organized crime, the government envisions this prison as a vital resource to combat gang activities effectively. Additionally, new legislation will enhance police powers and establish a dedicated prosecutor's office for organized crime.
Historically known as a notorious penal colony, the site of the new facility has a dark past, serving as the entry point to Devil's Island, the infamous prison depicted in the book and film "Papillon." As France confronts the rising tide of gang violence and prison assaults, this high-security construction signals a renewed commitment to restoring order and enhancing public safety in the fight against organized crime.
