Photo credits: Conseil d’État
France’s Conseil d’État, the nation’s highest administrative court, on Monday ruled legal the establishment of “quarters for the fight against organized crime” within certain prisons, including the facility at Vendin-le-Vieil in Pas-de-Calais.
The ruling comes after the Association des avocats pénalistes challenged a 2025 decree detailing the regime for these specialized units, arguing that it infringed upon the rights of inmates. The decree implements provisions of the law of June 13, 2025, aimed at curbing narcotics trafficking in France by isolating prisoners linked to organized criminal networks under stricter detention conditions.
In its decision, the Conseil d’État found that the decree provides sufficient safeguards. The court noted that the criteria for placement in these units are clearly defined by law and have previously been upheld as precise by the Constitutional Council. It also emphasized that inmates are entitled to a prior contradictory procedure, allowing them to present observations before any placement decision.
Furthermore, the court affirmed that detainees in these units retain the same legal rights as other prisoners, including maintaining family contact. Certain restrictions - full-body searches, separated visiting rooms, and limited phone access - are deemed justified by the objective of preventing further criminal network activity.
Consequently, the Conseil d’État rejected the lawyers’ association’s appeal, confirming the legality of these special prison units as a measure in France’s ongoing effort to combat organized crime.