France plans new high-security prison to combat drug trafficking

France has announced plans to construct a new high-security prison in French Guiana, a territory located on the northeastern coast of South America. The announcement was made by the country's Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin during a recent visit to the region, which has been identified as a major transit route for drug trafficking, especially cocaine headed for Europe. This new facility is part of the French government's broader response to the simultaneous increase in violent incidents related to criminal gangs and the heightened infiltration of mobile phones into the prison system, which has posed challenges to maintaining order and security within French prisons. The planned prison will cost approximately €400 million and is expected to house up to 500 inmates, including a maximum-security wing specifically for the most dangerous criminals, such as drug kingpins and radical Islamists. This move aims to address the issue of prison overcrowding in French Guiana, where the current levels of incarceration have been strained due to an influx of serious criminals operating within the drug trade. With a homicide rate significantly higher than that of mainland France, the need for increased security measures has become pressing, as organized criminal gangs are involved in violent conflicts, particularly around drug trafficking activities. The new facility will be located in the isolated region of Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, which historically served as a port for the infamous Devil's Island penal colony. This strategic location is particularly targeted due to its use by drug mules, often arriving from South America, especially Brazil and Suriname. The construction of this prison will be governed by an “extremely strict carceral regime” that is aimed not only at detaining individuals at the start of the drug trafficking pipeline but also at undermining the operations of drug trafficking leaders in mainland France. The situation surrounding criminal activities in French Guiana has prompted the government to take this significant step in an effort to enhance security for its overseas territories. In recent months, violent incidents have occurred in prisons across France, with many linked to retaliatory actions from criminal organizations in response to the government's crackdown on crime, including new laws to give investigators more powers. This ongoing situation highlights the delicate balance that the French government must maintain as it seeks to confront organized crime while ensuring the safety and security of inmates and prison staff alike in its facilities.