For the sake of transparency and to try to put an end to the controversy created by the broadcast, on August 18, on YouTube, of images of a kart race inside the prison of Fresnes (Val-de-Marne) , Eric Dupond-Moretti decided to communicate to the press on Tuesday, August 23 the summary of the administrative investigation he had ordered. This nine-page document aims in the first place to show that neither the Minister of Justice nor his office had been solicited or informed in advance of this “Kohlanness” activity. The opposite would have been surprising given that very diverse activities are organized in the 187 penitentiary centers of the country.
This half-day brought together, on July 27, around a series of fun and sporting events (quiz, tug of war over a swimming pool, karting), ten prisoners, ten prison guards and ten young of the town of Fresnes. It is also the team of supervisors who won. The first prize, of 1,700 euros, went to the association whose colors they wore, Arc-en-ciel, created in memory of a supervisor who committed suicide. The associations Relais parents-enfants and Unitess for the benefit of young people, defended by the two other teams, inherited the second and third prizes (650 euros and 350 euros).
The funding by the prison establishment of this “purely charitable operation for the benefit of associations whose action is deserving” was limited to these prices, we read in the report signed by the general secretary of the ministry and the deputy director of the penitentiary administration. “The cost of the event was fully covered by the Unitess association”, he points out. One way to respond to criticism that appeared on social networks on the misuse of taxpayers’ money.
As for the mode of selection of the detainees who took part in the operation, “it corresponds to the completely classic modus operandi when it comes to a socio-cultural or sporting activity organized in detention”. In other words, behavior in detention and investment in training or work are taken into account in the assessment before being able to benefit from such a carrot, including for people imprisoned for a crime.
“Error of assessment”
For his part, the head of the establishment, Jimmy Delliste, heard for this administrative investigation, acknowledged “ to have made an error of assessment” and being overwhelmed by the media consequences of the event.
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