Deep within the Amazon jungle of French Guiana, a controversial plan is taking shape: the construction of a high-security prison. Announced by France’s Justice Minister, this €400 million facility, dubbed by some as “Amazon Prison France”, aims to combat drug trafficking and radical Islamist activities by isolating dangerous criminals from their networks. Scheduled to open as early as 2028, the prison is intended to bolster France’s efforts against organized crime. According to Gérald Darmanin, the prison will house up to 500 inmates and implement an “extremely strict carceral regime.” The initiative has sparked debate, raising questions about its strategic location and its broader implications for France’s fight against crime.

The decision to build such a facility in this remote location is not arbitrary. The French government hopes that the “Amazon Prison France” will serve as a crucial tool in disrupting the flow of drugs into mainland France and beyond.

“[This prison] would target organized crime at all levels” of the drug supply chain,” Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin told Le Journal du Dimanche. The prison aims to detain individuals “at the beginning of the drug trail” and dismantle drug trafficking networks by strategically isolating them in the Amazon jungle, preventing contact with their criminal networks.

The move also comes in response to a series of violent incidents targeting prisons and staff across France. Darmanin has described these attacks as “terrorist” incidents in response to the government’s new legislation. Recent attacks include setting vehicles on fire outside prisons and gunfire at Toulon’s La Farlede prison. The new facility is seen as a way to provide a more secure environment for both inmates and staff, reducing the risk of further violence.

The promise of an “extremely strict carceral regime” raises questions about the daily lives of those incarcerated within the walls of “Amazon Prison France”. The prison will hold up to 500 people, including a separate wing for the most dangerous criminals. According to Darmanin, the facility is designed to “incapacitate the most dangerous drug traffickers.” New high-security prisons will enforce stricter rules on visits and communication with the outside world.

French authorities have struggled to control the infiltration of mobile phones into the prison network. Tens of thousands of mobile phones are known to circulate through French jails, enabling inmates to continue their criminal activities from behind bars. New legislation aims to crack down on criminal gang activity and improve security measures, hoping to limit communication with the outside world.

The prison will be built in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, a town described by AFP as a “strategic crossroads” for drug mules, particularly those traveling from Brazil and Suriname. This remote location, deep in the Amazon jungle, is intended to further isolate prisoners from their networks and limit their ability to influence criminal activities.

Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni carries a dark historical significance, serving as the former port of entry to the infamous Devil’s Island penal colony. Between 1852 and 1954, 70,000 convicts from mainland France were sent to Devil’s Island, a place immortalized in Henri Charrière’s book *Papillon*, later adapted into a Hollywood film. The choice of this location adds another layer of complexity to the project, forcing consideration of the region’s past treatment of prisoners.

The French government has announced new legislation to combat criminal gangs, including a dedicated branch of the prosecutors’ office. Investigators will have extra powers, and informers will receive special protected status. These measures reflect a broader effort to strengthen law enforcement’s ability to tackle organized crime at its roots.

French Guiana’s unique status as a region of France on the north-east coast of South America adds another dimension to the “Amazon Prison France” debate. Its residents are eligible to vote in French elections and have access to the French social security system. Building a high-security prison within this context raises questions about the impact on the local community and the potential strain on resources.

The construction of “Amazon Prison France” represents a significant step in France’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking and organized crime. By isolating dangerous criminals in a remote location and implementing stricter prison regimes, authorities hope to disrupt criminal networks and reduce violent incidents. While the project faces potential logistical and ethical challenges, its strategic importance in curbing crime within France and its overseas territories remains a key priority, as stated by Justice Minister Darmanin. The facility is scheduled to open in 2028.