Prison guards and police clash

HUNDREDS of prison guards went head to head with police as they blockaded jails in a four-day protest over overcrowding and violent attacks.

They set up barricades to block access to Europe’s largest prison at Fleury-Mérogis, south of Paris and baton-wielding police used teargas to clear the access after the barricades were set on fire.

The scene was repeated at jails across the country as the guards took part in a rolling protest – turning up on their days off as they are banned from striking. They aim to stop inmate transfers and hit court hearings.

The CGT union said 120 jails were affected.

Justice Minister Rachida Dati has called for meetings with the unions to stop the protests.

Overcrowding in French jails has been linked to a large number of suicides, attacks on staff and an increase in prisoner violence.

The Council of Europe has criticised the system and said that last year 115 French inmates committed suicide – twice as many as in the UK or Germany.

Already this year 50 prison inmates have killed themselves.

There is space for 51,000 prisoners in French jails but, as of April 1, they held 63,351 inmates. Fleury-Merogis was built to accommodate 2,855 inmates but currently holds 3,700, prison director Paul Louchouarn said.
Picture of Fleury-Mérogis: French Government