Two guards attacked at Bordeaux-Gradignan prison

These prison officers were notably punched in the face, according to unions.

Two guards at the Bordeaux-Gradignan prison (Gironde) were injured on Monday August 26 after attacks by two inmates against a backdrop of “chronic overpopulation”prison unions announced on Tuesday.

An officer from a local prison security team responsible for extractions was first assaulted by a prisoner within the exit escort structure during a search. The prisoner slapped him “punches in the face”explained to AFP Francis Vandenschrick, from the FO Pénitentiaire union. “While still conscious, the latter tried to grab the prisoner’s legs to bring him to the ground. The prisoner kneed him in the head.” Suffering from “several bruises”this supervisor benefited from a seven-day ITT, according to the FO and UFAP-Unsa Justice unions.

The second assault occurred about 40 minutes later, when another inmate refused to return to his cell. A senior brigadier received “several punches to the face” And “kicks on the ground”according to Francis Vandenschrick. The victim, “extremely shocked”had his lip split open.

The unionist denounces the “chronic overpopulation” of the penitentiary center, despite the inauguration in May of a brand new building. The first stage of a future complex of 600 places by 2027, supposed reduce prison pressure.

In 2022, a report from the General Inspector of Places of Deprivation of Liberty judged the conditions in Bordeaux-Gradignan “particularly unworthy”or even “inhuman”As of July 1, 893 inmates were held in this prison for a capacity of 539 places, or a density of 165.7%, according to the Ministry of Justice. The new structure should have absorbed “all the mattresses on the floor” of the old building, but by the end of August, 130 inmates were sleeping on the floor. “We have 20 more than before the opening” in May, deplores Francis Vandenschrick. “The new center is already outdated.”