Official announcements or reports from the French Ministry of Justice or credible news sources

Gérald Darmanin Announces High-Security Prison for 100 Drug Traffickers, 17,000 Inmates Linked, Opening July 31, 2025

Jan 23, 2025, 11:24 AM

Gérald Darmanin, the French Minister of Justice, announced the establishment of a high-security prison specifically for the country's most dangerous criminals, set to open on July 31, 2025. This facility aims to house the 100 most notorious offenders, particularly those linked to drug trafficking, with Darmanin noting that approximately 17,000 inmates are associated with drug-related crimes. He emphasized the need to differentiate between inmates and prisons, stating that the new facility will be 'inviolable.' Additionally, Darmanin revealed plans for the creation of a penitentiary police force, which will assess security, control, and surveillance operations, expected to be operational in 2026. He also addressed the issue of prison overcrowding, asserting that it is 'not dignified for a country like France' and proposed doubling the number of semi-liberty placements by 2027. The Minister's comments come in the wake of a tragic incident on May 14, where two prison guards were killed during an attack on a transport van, an event he described as a 'serious wound to the honor and authority of the state.'