After a twelve-hour long discussion, on Friday, May 17th, the union representing prison guards (FO Justice, UFAP-UNSA-Justice, CGT penitentiary, and the Prison Guard Union) called for an end to the prison blockades. However, there was a nuance in the announcement as UFAP-UNSA mentioned a “suspension” rather than a complete “stop”; the union is waiting for feedback from its base before making a final decision on Tuesday, May 21st. The prison facilities had been blocked since Wednesday, May 15th, following the death of two guards during an attack on a convoy by four heavily armed individuals on the A154 highway in Incarville (Eure) in an attempt to free an inmate, Mohamed Amra. Three other guards were also injured in the incident.
The calm in the prison situation is seen as positive news for the government amidst multiple simultaneous crises, including the violence in New Caledonia. There were notable improvements in the negotiations, according to Emmanuel Baudin from FO Justice, with commitments from the government that align closely with the demands of the unions made on Thursday. The government’s commitments include provisions for better security equipment, such as long firearms, automatic shoulder firearms, heavy bulletproof vests, thigh and chest holsters, standardization of vehicles, and their security (bulletproof protection, bull bars). Measures for drone interference and the use of mobile phones are also included in the decision.
The decision concludes an extensive list of improvements and measures aimed at enhancing security for the prison guards. The negotiations were considered a success, with both sides acknowledging positive advancements and a commitment to ensuring such tragic events do not occur again in the future. It is noted that the previous prison movements in 1992 and 2018 lasted a month, making the swift resolution of this issue a significant achievement. The quick resolution is credited to the high-level representation within the union and the positive relationship between the Minister of Justice, Eric Dupond-Moretti, and the penitentiary sector.
While FO Justice expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the negotiations and highlighted the importance of working in improved safety conditions, UFAP-UNSA opted for further consultation with its base before a final decision on the suspension of the blockades. The unions emphasized that this outcome should not be seen as a victory, as thoughts remain with the fallen and injured colleagues, as well as their families. Both unions agreed that the safety and well-being of the prison guards should be a top priority, and the government’s commitments in the decision are seen as a step in the right direction towards achieving this goal.
