He rolled up his sleeves for the photo, grabbed the shovel and threw four good shovelfuls of earth on a small shrub, just planted for the inauguration in the garden still under construction. Eric Dupond-Moretti came to Dordogne on Tuesday February 1 for a visit as part of the Estates General of Justice. But he started with a detour to Bergeracto inaugurate the brand new Closed Educational Center (CEF) which will open towards the end of March in the Bookseller’s business area, near the Creysse commercial area.
The “last degree” before prison for “multi-recidivist” minors
“This is the last degree before going to incarceration”, summarizes the prosecutor of Bergerac, Sylvie Guédes. It will accommodate twelve young people, between 16 and 18 years old, for a period of six months renewable once. The profile is “multi-recidivists”or young people leaving prison, who are followed by the “PJJ”, the Judicial Protection of Youth, which ensures their legal follow-up but also sees to their education and their reintegration. In other words, young people who need a solid framework. No less than 27 full-time equivalent positions will be created to support them, including 16 educatorsa nurse, a psychologist, and even a teacher seconded from the national education system to teach them.
The subject is close to the heart of the Minister of Justice, he who has often spoken out as a defender of alternatives to prison. “Prison is the most expensive way to create recidivism”, smiles a magistrate invited to the inauguration. There are already around fifty closed educational centers in France, twenty-one new ones are planned or under construction. In Dordogne, it will be the first. It will primarily welcome young people from New Aquitaine: “Searching for places is always problematic, and twelve more places is huge, because the duration of internships in these establishments are short”assures this magistrate.
– Marc-Bertrand
Young people will be able to go out, but always accompanied by educators
The center is “firm” but the children accommodated will be able to leave, under certain conditions. When they arrive, minors are not allowed any exit for a first time, then they are authorized to leave punctually, “permanently accompanied by educators”. At the end of their stay, they can do internships, go back to school or go on an apprenticeship, always in conjunction with the educators. The CEF of Bergerac is besides in connection for activities with the Bergerac SPA, she is also considering organizing with them cleaning of the streets of the city. Young people will also make masks thanks to a partnership with a Hermès workshop in the department.
The closed educational center is relatively far from residential areas, but “near” of the city-stadium, assures the mayor of Bergerac, Jonathan Prioleaud. He affirms that the installation of the establishment was done in consultation with the companies of the area of activity and the local residents. : “There are not necessarily concerns because the project is so well prepared, that when we explain what a closed educational center is, its organization and the involvement of all the staff, it there was no question behind it”.
– Marc-Bertrand