At the Nîmes remand center where prison overcrowding exceeds 200%, new entries are no longer acceptable, according to the local section of the FO Justice union. Especially since since Thursday January 13, the penal establishment has been classified as a total cluster by the regional health agency, after the multiplication of cases of covid in the prison population.
While covid-19 is now present in almost all of the sealed sectors of the Nîmes remand center, the assignments of detainees would continue within the structure, according to FO Justice.
In an attempt to stop the machine, the local section of the union is now openly addressing the magistrates of Nîmes in the text below, exclusively published in Midi Libre:
” Ladies and Gentlemen Magistrates
It is in desperation that we write this open letter which, we hope, will make you understand the distress in which we, officials of the Penitentiary Administration, find ourselves.
You are not unaware that the prison of Nîmes is among the most overcrowded prisons in France.
Since January 13, due to the health situation, we have gone into a total cluster, implying the cessation of transfers to other penitentiary establishments, which could have reduced the number of staff.
This should also lead to fewer arrivals at our establishment. However, we have seen for a week that entries are increasing, up to 6 per day. We understand the imperatives and obligations of your profession. We solemnly ask you to please hear ours.
In normal times, our working conditions are already extremely complicated. In total cluster, we have the impression of producing a small daily miracle, when we leave the prison without being put in danger.
The conditions of detention have become inhuman and impossible, both for detainees than for prison administration staff. The management of the establishment has asked that the incarcerations on the establishment be, if not stopped, at least slowed down. Unfortunately, however, we find the opposite.
We cannot continue to pile up the detainees in the sanitary conditions which are ours and which you know perfectly well. The direct consequence of promiscuity is the multiplication of cases of COVID, and a warming of spirits.
Ladies and Gentlemen Magistrates, we, minor civil servants, are beginning to run out of steam and lose faith in the future and in our justice. In order to be able to work in dignified conditions, we urge you to please hear our distress and to limit incarcerations to the strict minimum as long as we are in a cluster situation.
It is with your help and support that we will be able to weather this storm, and arrive safely. Don’t let our ship take on water and capsize. Help us fulfill our sovereign mission with Honor and Discipline.
Bureau Local FO Justice Nîmes “
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