French prison guards take action in prisons, and the search for the escaped prisoner continues

According to the guards unions, yesterday’s events show that there is a need for a new policy. “When we see our colleagues being killed, we say: enough is enough,” said Rodrigue Lamon, spokesman for the CGT-Pénitentiaire union. “We are doing our job the best we can and this is our reward? We are simply not safe anymore.”

According to the unions, the French state must urgently intervene to make the work of prison guards safer. That’s why they demand more resources to do their job properly, such as modified transportation vehicles. In addition, prison guards want to reduce prisoner transfers and increase the use of video conferencing to follow court hearings.

To reinforce their message, unions organize “Prisons of the Dead” Day (“prison death”). In several places in France, prison guards block access to prisons.

This takes place, among other things, in the city of Brest, located in the Brittany region. Prisoners cannot receive visitors there today. Handovers have been postponed, transport of prisoners to court has been cancelled, and medical services are only available in emergency situations. Prison guards are also carrying out measures in Paris, Loyne and Lyon.