France's Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has revealed plans for a high-security prison in the Amazon jungle, specifically designed to detain drug traffickers and radical Islamists. Set to open by 2028, this facility is part of a legislative effort to strengthen the country’s grip on organized crime and reduce the influence of criminal networks.
France Plans New High-Security Prison to Combat Drug Trafficking in Amazon Jungle
France Plans New High-Security Prison to Combat Drug Trafficking in Amazon Jungle
The French government announces a €400m high-security prison in French Guiana aimed at combating escalating organized crime.
France is gearing up to construct a state-of-the-art high-security prison in its overseas territory of French Guiana, as part of a significant initiative to tackle the growing menace of organized crime, particularly drug trafficking, and radicalism. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin unveiled the €400 million facility during his recent visit to the region, indicating that the prison aims to disrupt the drug supply chain "at all levels."
The facility, expected to accommodate up to 500 inmates, will be located deep in the Amazon rainforest near Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, an area strategically positioned for monitoring drug mules, especially from neighboring countries like Brazil and Suriname. With plans to open as early as 2028, the prison will feature a separate wing for the most dangerous offenders and is designed to implement an "extremely strict carceral regime."
Darmanin highlighted the necessity of such facilities following escalating violence linked to criminal gangs in France, which included assaults on prisons and their staff. He pointed out that this prison would serve not only to contain key players in the drug trafficking sphere but also to ensure that leaders of these networks can no longer communicate with their associates.
Previous efforts to control the influx of contraband mobile phones into the existing prison system have led authorities to pursue these robust measures, which also include proposed legislation to establish specialized units focused on handling organized crime. These measures will grant enhanced powers to investigators, create a dedicated prosecutors' office, and afford protection to informants within the criminal network.
The announcement follows a series of violent "terrorist" incidents against prisons in recent months, where attackers have labeled themselves as advocates for prisoners' rights. One significant attack involved gunfire directed at Toulon's La Farlede prison, showcasing the threat posed by organized crime figures.
Historically, Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni served as the entry point for the notorious Devil's Island penal colony. The new facility aims to replace the historical prison narratives with a modern approach to addressing contemporary crime in France, reinforcing the nation’s efforts to regain control over its penal system while safeguarding public safety. The French justice ministry has yet to provide further comments regarding this groundbreaking initiative.
