International Journal on Criminology Volume 3, Number 2, Fall 2015 | Page 29

International Journal on Criminology
A - France: an Exception or Willful Ignorance?
In March 2015, an inmate escaped from the semi-open quarters of Baumettes prison
by climbing over the fence. He escaped from the precinct but was still within the
confines of the prison perimeter. It is thought he was on a mission to retrieve a
package sent from outside. Another prisoner filmed the scene with his mobile phone…
Elsewhere, on November 18, 2013, a guard at Pontet prison near Avignon
called the gendarmes from his watchtower after spotting two men near the perimeter
wall. The men, one aged seventeen and the other twenty-two, were arrested. The first,
who had crossed the barbed wire fence, told the gendarmes he had already thrown
seven parcels over the fences for prisoners out exercising.
For the most part these packages contained alcohol. Near the second, the police
found a number of plastic bags in the grass. They contained fifty-two packages in all,
waiting to be sent over the fence. In them were several mobile phones, 100 grams of
cannabis, screwdriver tips, one wrench, alcohol, and some meat, among other things.
This is not an isolated incident, and the problem takes various forms. In
March 2003 a car theft ring, called “extensive” by police involved in the investigation,
was organized and led by a criminal boss at the time incarcerated in Saint-Quentin-
Fallavier prison (Isère, France). 12 Stretching as far as Marseilles, activities included
homejackings 13 and carjackings. 14 These were carried out by gang members from the
roughest no-go areas of Grenoble turning to serious organized crime. 15 Although
behind bars, the gang’s boss was running this large-scale gang operation smoothly
from his cell using a mobile phone, a situation familiar to prison staff in many countries
of the world, 16 and which in France is undoubtedly neither an exception, nor this a
unique case.
The prevalence of mobile phones in French prisons no longer surprises anyone. For
example, on February 12, 2004, in response to persistent rumors of the existence of
a loose firearm in a prison at Nanterre, a systematic search succeeded in finding no
fewer than fifteen mobile phones. 17
associates practice or have practiced individually or collectively on behalf of the association or group,
two or more acts including preparation, organization, threats, financing, illegal acts or acts of rebellion
described as serious in accordance with Section 3315 of the California Code of Regulations.”
12
“Le Figaro”, March 20, 2003.
13
In French, “Saucissonage”—the act of entering a home against the will of its occupants and
extracting property, valuables or actions under threat and/or violence—in this case vehicle keys.
14
Taking an occupied vehicle by violent means.
15
As for all criminal activities, again, we can only consider those for which there is prima facie
evidence—which are known and therefore have been discovered. For that reason they have probably
been stopped, sometimes even brought to justice. This in no way signifies that similar activities—and
others—are not ongoing in the same places or elsewhere. All indications rather suggest that there has
been an increase and diversification of criminal activity in prisons.
16
For example Beiser. Prisoners Run Gangs...
17
Le Parisien, February 13, 2004.
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