Reinforced security at the Vincennes detention center after the escape of eleven people

2023-12-26 16:52:53

Cameras, human staff, barbed wire in bedroom windows… The security system at the Paris Vincennes administrative detention center (CRA) will be reinforced after the escape of eleven people on Monday, police prefect Laurent Nuñez said on Tuesday.

“I do not identify any human failure, we must physically strengthen the protection of this place” affirmed the prefect on site who will “immediately take measures”.

Additional human resources and cameras

This includes “strengthening the mobile camera system” outside the center, which welcomes foreigners subject to a removal order before their return, he explained during a press briefing.

“Human reinforcements” will also be deployed, “particularly on the outskirts of the site” where the police presence has been increased since Monday, added Laurent Nuñez, referring to “around forty additional personnel” to “prevent any further escape”.

Grilles on bedroom windows

Finally “mestures will be installed” in particular at the windows of the rooms of this center with 235 places, he explained.

Monday’s escape “started from a room”, recalled the prefect, explaining that the escapees “broke a window, they managed to make a hole in a fence” then “jumped from a height of six meters” before “climbing the last surrounding wall” by placing “covers on the barbed wire”.

The events occurred “around 8:30 a.m.” and “from 9 a.m.” the officials realized the escape “by entering a room”. The exterior camera placed on the walkway “malfunctioned,” he added.

Searches launched to find the escapees

As for the escapees, “the search has been launched” to find them, with “wanted notices distributed throughout the Ile-de-France region”, assured the prefect. If among them “there is no detainee who is on the S file”, the prefect mentioned “delinquent profiles”, a consequence of the request from the Minister of the Interior to place priority in the CRAs “those of foreigners in irregular situation who were known for criminal acts and in particular for a reiteration” of these facts.

This resulted in a population that was “more difficult to manage” with “numerous incidents” at the Paris Vincennes CRA. On Saturday, a mattress fire and an escape attempt were recorded. “There are also sometimes incidents that come from outside,” he added, referring to Monday evening, “around 9 p.m., mortar fire against the CRA of Vincennes.”