“Many professional challenges”, Fabrice Simon takes charge of the Lot-et-Garonne prison integration and probation service

“We enter the penitentiary by chance, we stay there by choice.” Fabrice Simon, the new functional director of the prison integration and probation service (SPIP) knows this adage well. 26 years in the house and already a first life in Lot-et-Garonne. “We have to move, I had already had the opportunity to discover Agen with Enap,” recalls the Charentais.

Originally from Angoulême, it was after a master’s degree in law, specializing in criminal science, that the fifty-year-old landed in this environment somewhat by chance. “I passed a competitive exam then I started as an integration and probation counselor,” continues the director. The “SPIP” is the one who accompanies the inmate during his confinement but also upon his release.

Avoid recurrence

The objective is to avoid recidivism and enable reintegration. “We work on creativity, self-confidence, in particular everything that can promote better social and behavioral behavior to reintegrate,” emphasizes Fabrice Simon. In addition, advisors are in contact with the outside world: businesses, associations and France Travaille, for example.

After 13 years supporting prisoners in Yonne and in his native region, it was in 2011 that he was promoted to deputy in Deux-Sèvres, in charge of the northern branch of the department in Bressuire. A first step before taking the reins of Vienne, Charente and now Lot-et-Garonne.

“It’s a department where many systems are implemented. We set up the program of alternatives to violence, it’s a method that comes from Canada,” theorizes the fifty-year-old. “The idea is to work in groups with people with violent pasts, to find other solutions. We make them work on their behavior so that they realize that there are other ways to manage conflict.”

An innovative territory

Mandated by the court, the integration service also has the role of ensuring compliance with the obligations requested of convicted persons. For example, anything related to treatment (alcohol, narcotics, etc.). “We have to show them a new path. We are not fools either, some understand very quickly, others are more difficult. It is up to us to find the levers,” explains Fabrice Simon.

To find these levers, Lot-et-Garonne is an innovative land. “It’s a dynamic service that worked well with experimental support. The Changes program, which trains agents in a cognitive behavioral strategy, or even restorative justice. There are many professional challenges.” The new director also defends a vision: “People above all, prevented citizens. The law does not stop at the prison door, it continues to apply. When the person leaves, it is not necessary that there is a rupture. Our job is to develop responses to resolve the problems. We are in anticipation, a kind of dynamic security.