This is a first in France: women imprisoned for acts of terrorism can now be transferred to a Radicalization Support District (QPR), like men. This wing of Rennes prison will open in September and will have to follow an extremely strict security protocol.
In September, Rennes prison will inaugurate the first Radicalization Support District (QPR) for women in France. The principle ? Create a wing completely sealed from the other quarters to avoid proselytizing. Even the sports halls and the promenade will be apart. Since 2016, six quarters of this type already exist in French prisons but they are, for the moment, reserved for male prisoners.
The Radicalization Support District will be able to accommodate up to thirty women at term, six should arrive at the start of the school year. They will remain six months, renewable. According to the first feedback on the men, it takes at least 18 months for the work carried out in this special prison ward to bear fruit.
Reinforced surveillance
The objective is clear: to disengage these women from terrorist violence by means of meetings with psychologists, workshops on self-esteem or even on the place of women in society… A religious mediator will also intervene with these incarcerated women.
These specific inmates will be supervised by about fifteen guards, all volunteers. They have been specially trained to do this work. Some actions are not done as in traditional detention. The opening of the cells, for example, is carried out by a pair, for more security. In France, women represent only 3% of the prison population in total, all facts combined.
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