a surprise visit forces the prison to explain itself

See my news
Follow 78actu

After the tragedy that occurred this summer at the juvenile penitentiary (EPM) in Porcheville (Yvelines), two senators asserted their right to visit. This Monday, September 30, 2024, Ghislaine Senée (EELV), elected in Yvelines, and her counterpart from Paris, Anne Sourys, pushed open the doors of this 59-place prison, inaugurated in 2008, accompanied by journalists. The place was the theater, the last August 18of the suicide of a young 16-year-old inmate, found by a guard hanging in his cell in the early morning.

“Hey Madam Senator, get me out!” » Loud cries, and sometimes even insults, erupted from the grilled windows from which yo-yos hang as the small delegation passes at the foot of the buildings.

The teenager had been incarcerated since May 21

There was a lot of talk about this death during the three hours where the two senators were able to tour the premises and speak freely to staff and inmates. Thus, we learned that this teenager had been incarcerated since May 21, 2024, awaiting an appeal trial for facts which were not specified to us. He was under a classic detention regime, alone in a cell, like his fellow prisoners, but was subject to “adapted specific surveillance” due to psychological weaknesses.

Thus, as is customary with this device, the prison officers had reinforced their rounds around him and took a look in the peephole of his cell “every three hours” to make sure everything was going well. A practice that normally only takes place at night. “The supervisor who came to check that night did not notice anything abnormal,” assured Souad Benchinoun, the director, to the senators who questioned her on the subject.

Paradoxically, he had not been placed in emergency protection cell. Built in 2024, this small room is designed to leave the person locked inside with no possibility of making an attempt on their life. Plexiglas bubbles protect televisions and light fixtures, the windows do not open, the bed is solidly fixed in a formwork with rounded edges and everything is planned so that the inmates cannot hang themselves. Stay indoors is limited to 24 hours, pending medical treatment.

“The young person was not identified as being in a suicidal crisis,” says the director. “However, he had issued a warning signal,” Anne Sourys believes.

Difficulties identified by doctors

Psychological difficulties were in any case clearly identified by the medical staff. Doctor Lissette Lopez Marin, emergency doctor at the EPM, had seen him for consultation three days before he killed himself. “All the prison staff were involved in his mental health,” she assured the senators. He was followed by the prison psychologist. We could not predict his suicide, as is unfortunately often the case. »

The question of the continuity of care in a territory hit by a shortage of doctors still arises in this matter. The psychologist and the emergency physician were both on vacation at the time of the tragedy. “Our nurses are taking over, they are trained for this,” assured the healthcare executive, present during the interview.

L’absence of child psychiatrist since 2020, in this establishment where a vulnerable population lives in a precarious environment, has also been singled out by the two elected environmentalists. “No,” replied Doctor Lopez Marin. His condition did not require psychiatric treatment. »

When deemed necessary, the prison administration carries out extractions to take inmates under escort to the city for consultation. Concerning this young man, no action in this sense has not been undertaken.

An exchange with inmates

The senators were also able to discuss at length with three young prisonersat the end of a baking activity at the living unit. “I was told that he had been feeling unwell for a few days, but the psychologist was not there,” says a teenager with a hoarse voice and lively eyes. “For me, we should be more attentive to the inmates, less mean to them,” he also says, provocatively. “When we don’t feel well, we can get help,” tempers his comrade, a tall guy with a calm demeanor.

After the events, the Versailles public prosecutor’s office and the prison administration each opened an investigation to shed light on this tragedy. In 2023, one suicide attempt was recorded in the establishment, compared to none this year.

This inspection, permitted by a law of 2000, also focused on the schooling of these young people. Behind these high walls topped with barbed wire, classrooms and teachers welcome them to bring them up to speed and allow them to return to school when they leave. They also have a permanent contract, a library, a media library and a mini soap manufacturing company has even been created to ensure the stages in vocational education. “A report showed that the baccalaureate success rate is good here,” underlined Ghislaine Senée.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.