France is entering a new phase in its fight against organised crime with the opening of its first ultra-high-security prisons in Vendin-le-Vieil (Pas-de-Calais) and Condé-sur-Sarthe (Orne).

Announced by France’s Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin back in March, these facilities will introduce an unprecedented level of detention strictness, inspired by Italy’s anti-mafia model. They are designed not only to incarcerate, but to neutralise the ability of top-tier drug traffickers and to continue directing operations from behind bars.

The first of these prisons, located in Vendin-le-Vieil, will begin operations on 31 July 2025, following a complete overhaul of the facility. Transfers of inmates are set to begin in May. Condé-sur-Sarthe will follow by mid-October, once essential construction works are finalised. In total, 200 inmates—among the most dangerous individuals currently held in French prisons—will be placed under the system. The national penitentiary intelligence service estimates that 600 to 700 prisoners across the country warrant such isolation.

Uncompromising Security Measures

These new prisons are designed for total isolation. Each detention wing will house only four to five inmates to minimise contact. Their movements will be supervised by multiple guards to prevent corruption or collusion. Surveillance technology will be strengthened with additions such as Faraday cages to block communication signals and full window grilles to prevent external contact.

A critical component of these high-security prisons is the severe restriction of external communications. Prisoners will no longer have 24/7 access to telephones. Instead, they will be limited to two two-hour sessions per week. Family visits will take place behind glass partitions using intercoms to eliminate any possibility of physical contact. Access to family living units and unsupervised visiting areas will be eliminated. Video conferencing will become the standard for court appearances, and medical appointments will take place at the prison, reducing the need for prisoner transfers.

Body searches will be systematic following each visit, and all movements will be subject to increased control. Inmates will be restrained when exiting their cells, and newly equipped door systems will include arm restraints and reinforced safety mechanisms to protect guards during interactions.

Selection based on danger, not legal status

Prisoners will be selected for transfer not based on their judicial status, but on their assessed level of danger. The criteria include the ability to orchestrate criminal activities from within prison, to corrupt staff, or to command violence externally. This approach signals a fundamental shift: prisons will no longer serve solely as places of punishment, but also as mechanisms to dismantle criminal networks.

The selection process will be overseen by investigators, magistrates, and prison authorities, with final decisions published by ministerial decree. The intention, as the Minister of Justice stated, is to prevent any repeat of high-profile incidents such as the recent escape of Mohamed Amra, believed to have maintained criminal ties from within prison walls.

Staff security and training

To support the rollout of this high-security model, Vendin-le-Vieil will see an increase in personnel, with 26 additional guards joining an already fortified team—bringing the ratio to nearly one guard per four inmates. All staff will undergo specialised training on the criminal profiles and operational risks involved, including behavioural patterns and anti-corruption protocols.

Concerns remain, however, regarding the speed of implementation. Union representatives have warned that the five-day training schedule is too short and that some crucial infrastructure—such as automated cell doors—is not yet in place. The local FO union has stressed the need for ensuring guard safety and full operational readiness before the new prisoners arrive.

A broader strategic vision

Beyond these two initial sites, the government plans to construct up to four additional high-security prisons by 2027, with a fifth facility possibly located in France’s overseas territories. The ultimate objective is to isolate the core of France’s criminal networks and prevent ongoing coordination from within the prison system.

These new high-security prisons mark a turning point in France’s approach to managing its most dangerous inmates. As the country builds out this network of ultra-secure facilities, it signals a firm commitment to protecting society not just through punishment, but by strategically disrupting criminal operations at their core.

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Banner title: France unveils ultra-secure prisons to isolate high-risk criminal networks

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Alternative text for photo: A close-up image shows a person in orange prison trousers with their hands cuffed behind their back, standing near metal bars. The photo symbolises incarceration, law enforcement, and high-security detention, highlighting themes of justice, crime control, and restricted freedom.

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Article description (100 words): France is stepping up its fight against organised crime with the launch of ultra-high-security prisons in Vendin-le-Vieil and Condé-sur-Sarthe. Designed to isolate the country’s most dangerous offenders, these facilities implement strict detention measures inspired by Italy’s anti-mafia model. With reinforced surveillance, heavily restricted communications, and prisoner selection based on risk rather than legal status, the aim is to cut criminal leaders off from their networks. The initiative also includes increased staffing, specialised training, and plans for additional sites by 2027. This marks a major shift in France’s prison strategy—prioritising disruption over detention alone.

Page description 135 words: France is introducing a new generation of ultra-high-security prisons aimed at neutralising the country’s most dangerous offenders. The first facilities, located in Vendin-le-Vieil and Condé-sur-Sarthe, will house around 200 high-risk inmates under a regime inspired by Italy’s anti-mafia model. These prisons go far beyond traditional detention, with extreme restrictions on communication, movement, and external contact. Measures include surveillance upgrades, full-time monitoring, Faraday cages, and reinforced cells. Inmates will be selected based on their capacity to direct criminal activity from behind bars, rather than judicial status. With reinforced staffing, specialised training, and tight operational controls, the facilities are designed to dismantle organised crime networks from the inside. The government plans to expand the model with up to four more sites by 2027. This marks a bold shift in French prison policy—focused on isolation, intelligence, and prevention.