And finally, Nicole Belloubet releases detainees because of the Covid-19

• Last Tuesday, in the columns of "20 Minutes", Nicole Belloubet indicated that she was not "in the plan" to release detainees because of the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
• Wednesday, however, she must present orders to the Council of Ministers easing the conditions of early release due to the health situation.
• In the space of five days, the number of prisoners and prison staff likely to have been infected increased by almost 500%.

It was a week ago. It was another time… Questioned by 20 Minutes last Tuesday, Nicole Belloubet, the Minister of Justice, indicated that she was "not at all in the plan" to allow the release of the least dangerous prisoners in order to limit the risk of spreading the coronavirus in 188 French penal establishments.

180 degree turn. Wednesday, she will present to the Council of Ministers a series of orders easing the conditions of early release and granting credits for reduction of sentences due to the health situation. They should be published on Thursday in the Official Journal . It must be said that, since then, the Covid-19 has started to spread behind bars, as everyone feared.

From 157 patients to March 18 (6 confirmed positive cases and 151 suspects), the counter rose, on Monday, to… 920 cases (16 positive cases among prison staff, 6 among prisoners including one deceased and 899 suspects). An increase of 486% in five days, according to information gathered by 20 Minutes from several concordant sources.

[Interview @ 20Minutes] #Coronavirus #Prison "We will distribute 100,000 masks in prison", announces Nicole #Belloubet, to reassure prison guards.https: //t.co/4Q9LZwxHjU

Around 5,000 prisoners could benefit from the measure

Monday evening, Nicole Belloubet therefore explained during a meeting with the unions, that she was going to drop ballast. In fact, the detainees who were to be released in the coming months will be able to leave the prisons faster. And those who stick together will benefit from additional sentence reduction credits. A good way to contain the mutinies that are increasing everywhere since the announcement of the suspension of family visiting rooms to avoid contamination.

The Chancellery has not made any specific study. But the measure is likely to result in the release of around 5,000 prisoners convicted of minor crimes (those who have been convicted in matters of morals, criminal or terrorists, etc. are excluded) "It is a first step," rejoices Christopher Dorangeville , secretary general of the CGT Penitentiary. We were still at 61,000 places for 70,000 prisoners. "

The 100,000 masks promised are slow to arrive

Difficult under these conditions to maintain a sanitary cordon around each suspected case. The doctrine is to isolate the smallest detainee who presents symptoms in a cell and to protect prison staff. But in reality, it is much more complicated. The 100,000 masks promised by the ministry last Tuesday are only being transported to the prisons. "For now, the supervisors are asked to wear a mask only when faced with suspicious cases," laments the union official. And so, the detainees are afraid of catching the virus every time a guard approaches. "

Asked about the ten detainees who died in mutinies in Italy or the escapes in Brazil due to the epidemic of #coronavirus, Nicole Belloubet assures her: "I am not afraid ..."

And they get angry easily. “With the suspension of the visiting rooms, Nicole Belloubet had announced a credit of 40 euros to the poorest prisoners to maintain contact with families. But it is not yet in place, ”criticizes Lydia Found of the Union for the protection and respect of prisoners. She herself has had no news of her imprisoned son. “Some were transferred after the first mutinies. And the families don't know where… ”

The next few days could prove decisive in preventing France from experiencing the same situation as in Italy where ten detainees died during scuffles. To avoid this, the Keeper of the Seals participates every evening in a videoconference meeting with the prison administration officials. A good way to stay informed and, if necessary, to go back on its main principles. "I'm not afraid," she told us… a week ago.

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Coronavirus: "We will distribute 100,000 masks in prison", announces Nicole Belloubet

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• Containment
• Covid 19
• Jail
• Coronavirus
• Justice