This Thursday, the Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin detailed his plan to reform the prison environment and the prison administration, from the National School of Penitentiary.
Details. This is what came this Thursday, January 23, 2025, the Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin about the large reform of the prison administration desired by the government and whose premises had already been revealed recently. From the National School of Prison Administration, in Agen (Lot-et-Garonne), the Keeper of the Seals has detailed its action plan with three main novelties, which will be set up from this summer. In addition to the creation of a mission to be able to expel strangers definitively condemned, here is the new prison model desired by French justice.
A new “high security” prison
Gérald Darmanin announced the opening of a “high security” prison for the 100 largest drug traffickers in France. It is actually an already existing establishment but which will be emptied of its occupants, especially for this new project. She “will be in office” as of July 31, assured the Minister of Justice, who did not wish to indicate his geographic location.
In this sense, 4 million euros have already been unlocked, and two new prisons of this type will also be born “within two years, in order to incarcerate the most dangerous Narco-Bandits identified by the intelligence services “. Also, four new sections of Eris (which is similar to the GIGN in the prison sector) will be created and positioned in “an inviolable place, where it is impossible to deliver drugs, phones or threaten agents”, specifies The Keeper of the Seals.
The creation of a prison police
Another important announcement, the creation of a “penitentiary police in 2026” to carry out “security and control missions” in French prisons. It should constitute the “third security force in the country,” said Gérald Darmanin. Excavations in cells, security and control could be part of their missions.
The officials concerned could also obtain the rank of judicial police officer, which is not the case currently. Finally, the penitentiary police will have to accompany the “legal probation agents” in the installation of electronic bracelets in the most difficult territories of the country. To support this new police, the former Prime Cop France also wishes to create new cynophile brigades.
A general inspection of the prison administration
The last part of the Gérald Darmanin plan for the prison universe is the creation of a general inspection of the prison administration. Here, he intends to “fight corruption” with a model modeled on that of IGPN. For the moment, the penitentiary was followed by the General Inspectorate of Justice. The strengthening of penitentiary intelligence was also promised by the Minister of Justice, this Thursday, January 23.
Finally, Gérald Darmanin wishes a “deep reform” of the reintegration of prisoners. This is why, a prisoner will now be incarcerated according to his dangerousness. To do this, 3,000 semi-liberty places will be created in French prisons, which should make it possible to double their number by 2027. Regarding insertion and probation, of“States General of Integration and Probation” will take place from April to December. The objective? A change in the organization of the prison administration with two very distinct poles: a dedicated to security and a second to probation.