He evokes “shocking pictures”. The Minister of Justice, Eric Dupond-Moretti, announced on Twitter the opening of an investigation, Saturday August 20, “so that all light may be shed” on the images of the “Kohlanness” competition, freely inspired by the game of TF1 Koh-Lanta, within the prison of Fresnes (Val-de-Marne). “The fight against recidivism goes through reintegration but certainly not through karting!”, reacted the Keeper of the Seals, in reaction to the images of the karting test shot in the enclosure of the penitentiary establishment.
After the shocking images from Fresnes prison, I immediately ordered an investigation to shed light. The fight against recidivism goes through reintegration but certainly not through karting!
— Eric Dupond-Moretti (@E_DupondM) August 20, 2022
The program “Kohlanness”, the “Koh-Lanta of the cities”, was organized at the end of July within the prison of Fresnes. According to a subject of Konbini, the initiative brought together inmates, supervisors of the establishment as well as people living in Fresnes. Prisoners taking part in the trials “are there for short sentences”, specified the organizer of these activities Djibril Dramé, recalls Release.
Obstacle course, tug of war, general culture and karting… These various activities took place within the prison walls at the end of July. The director of the establishment, Jimmy Delliste, had greeted on Twitter a “moment of fraternal commitment for the benefit of three associations”.
Moment of fraternal commitment for the benefit of 3 associations respectively represented by a selection of prisoners, staff members and young Fresnois. Thanks to the organizers and to Djibril DRAME. pic.twitter.com/C9r9gogEMJ
— Jimmy DELLISTE (@DellisteJ) July 27, 2022
As the HuffPost points out, this edition of “Kohlanness” raised 1,700 euros for the Arc-en-ciel association. “The road to reintegration goes through work in prison. But we also have a duty: not to put them aside, and above all not to forget that they are human.” defended Djibril Dramé about this initiative with the detainees.
Asked by AFP, the ministry pointed out that the Keeper of the Seals had “always shown to be in favor of prisoners being offered sporting and cultural activities, but in the project as it had been presented, the activities as they were revealed in this video did not appear, in particular that of karting “.
The dissemination of these images, in particular those of the karting activity, caused a strong reaction in the ranks of the right and the far right. “Can you imagine the victims and families of the victims who see their executioners go kart in the prison of Fresnes?”, was indignant on Twitter Damien Rieu, former candidate of the far-right Reconquest party in the legislative elections. “Look at Club Med in Fresnes, all that’s missing is table football: the victims will appreciate it!”, continued Gilbert Collard, honorary president of the movement of Eric Zemmour. At the National Rally, Hélène Laporte, Vice-President of the National Assembly, also strongly denounced the initiative.
#DupondMoretti succeeded in nothing except being the minister of prisoners: look at the Club Med of #Fresnesall that’s missing is table football: the victims will appreciate it! pic.twitter.com/AwdtIeVLlu
— Gilbert Collard (@GilbertCollard) August 20, 2022
At the Jail of #Fresnes, summer activities are organized for prisoners: karting, swimming pool, etc. During this time, 1 child out of 3 does not go on vacation due to a lack of financial means. Taxpayers will be happy to see where their money goes! #Kohlanness pic.twitter.com/yNaPAVLVWV
— Helene Laporte (@HeleneLaporteRN) August 20, 2022
On the right, deputy Eric Ciotti, presidential candidate for the Les Républicains party, said on Twitter that “our prisons are not colonies holidays in which inmates and guards weave bonds of friendship”.