The Role of TIG Ambassadors in Implementing Alternative Punishments in France

Created in 1983 by the Minister of Justice Robert Badinter, work of general interest (TIG) is a alternative punishment to prison or a large fine. It consists of unpaid work, lasting between 20 and 400 hours, that the convicted person must carry out for the benefit of an organization acting in the collective interest: public community, association, company charged with a mission of public service or the social and solidarity economy. In Eure and this is unique in France, there are two TIG ambassadors : Samuel Burel, head of the green spaces department of the City of Vernon and Hervé Glezgo, mayor of Bazincourt-sur-Epte.

In Vernon, 30 people were welcomed in three years, or 2,650 hours of work, which is the departmental record. In his town of 800 inhabitants in the Gisors region, Hervé Glezgo has already welcomed, since his election in 2020, around fifteen tigistes. Since October 11, he has been an ambassador for TIG, a title created by the Eure agency for general interest work and professional integrationpour “have a recognition system for those who are really invested in this measure as a tutor” he explains. When the territorial referent sends him a candidate, the mayor receives him for an interview, “a bit like a light job interview” and presents the missions and work schedules. If both parties agree, the measure proposed by the sentence enforcement judge is validated.

A give and take contract

Until now, Hervé Glezo only offered TIG within the road service/green spaces of his municipality, “but it doesn’t suit all profiles, I have already received people who were 65 years old” he specifies. Another TIG position was therefore opened at the municipal library to make, among other things, collection inventories. “It’s a real plus” recognizes Hervé Glezgo, “For the municipality, this gives us a workforce that we don’t have to pay. Having a backup worker for a month is like seasonal work”.

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The convicted person can also benefit from it. The penalty for community service will be less severe than the penalty imposed (imprisonment or 5th class fine). Another advantage according to the mayor, “the convicted person can very well, if his TIG went well, explain it to his future employer as an internship, as a new experience” advances Hervé Glezgo. However, the mayor would like more of his colleagues to welcome Tigistes because, he says, “communities must also play their role because if there is no one to accommodate the work of general interest, the measure falls through“.