It is a project which is part of the government program, which aims to open 15,000 new prison places by 2027. Objective: thus reaching 75,000 available places, according to the Ministry of Justice. However, the construction of a new prison in Magnanville (Yvelines) is far from unanimous. Especially since it must be installed in the middle of homes, on agricultural land, and near a school establishment, recalls Europe 1 .
“I open the shutters, I am in front of a prison. There is a problem, it’s not possible” explains a resident, worried about this future construction. An anxiety which particularly concerns his children, who go to school alone. “That’s why we chose this place to live,” she adds.
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A meeting requested with the Minister of Justice
Others fear the changes this prison will bring: “The police will be on duty, there will also be everything that involves the delivery of illicit products, everything that will generate around it as a population movement. Again, right next to a school” another resident worries over the radio.
The town hall also points out the disappearance of 20 hectares of agricultural land but also the risk of flooding in the communities located below. Mayor Michel Lebouc explains that residents will inevitably suffer from such construction: “there is a visual nuisance. A remand center is lit 24/7 with floodlights”. He requested an interview with the Minister of Justice, Didier Migaud, and recalled that 23 alternative proposals were made to the government, but all were refused.
