New High-Security Prison in French Guiana Sparks Controversy

French Guiana's New High-Security Prison: A Necessary Measure or a Return to the Past? French Guiana is preparing to open a new high-security prison by 2028, a project aimed at addressing the severe overcrowding in the existing penitentiary system. This €400 million facility will house some of France's most dangerous criminals, including a dedicated unit for 15 radicalized Islamists. However, the project has sparked controversy. Davy Rimane, a deputy from French Guiana, expressed his regret at not having had the opportunity to discuss the project with the Minister of Justice beforehand. He voiced concerns that the project might echo the historical penal colony system. Additionally, left-leaning political figures have denounced the project, associating it with the forced exile practices of colonial times. The Minister of Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls, countered these criticisms, stating, "No French territory deserves to be treated as a relegation zone." The new prison, located in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest, is intended to provide better security for overseas citizens, according to the Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin. Beyond the prison itself, the site will also include a judicial court and a penitentiary reintegration service. The project highlights the ongoing debate about prison reform and the complexities of managing high-security inmates in overseas territories.