The broadcast of a video of the event called “Kohlantess” created the controversy on the right and the far right. In response, the Minister of Justice launched an administrative inquiry.
Le Monde with AFP
The Ministry of Justice denies having knowledge of the organization of a “Kohlatess”, inspired by the television game “Koh Lanta”, including a karting race in Fresnes prison. It was an “initiative of the director of the prison with the organizer,” said Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti on Tuesday August 23 before the press during a visit to the Fleury-Mérogis prison (Essonne). “If I had known that a karting competition was organized, I would have put a very clear veto (…). I have never been informed,” he said.
“I’m going to tell you something very simple: for me, prison is sanction and reintegration. In these images, there is neither sanction nor reintegration. Prison, she must have a deterrent effect “, he added.
On July 27, the event baptized “Kohlassess”, with in particular karting, mime or rope events above a swimming pool, took place in a courtyard of Fresnes prison (Val de Marne). The director of the establishment – who had 1,918 detainees for 1,336 places at 1 er July -, Jimmy Deliste, had congratulated himself in stride on Twitter of a” Moment of Fraternal Engagement for the benefit of three associations “, thanked the organizers.
Opening of a survey
A video of these competitions, broadcast on Friday on YouTube and since then, caused the indignation of right and far right personalities and led to the launch of an administrative inquiry by the Ministry of Justice.
“What the ministry knew is that there was a sports competition in which it was never discussed of karting,” continued the Keeper of the Seals, during a visit to the site of The former center for minors in Fleury-Mérogis prison (Essonne), which will welcome 400 new major detainees by 2023. “The Minister does not know everything about detail, this n ‘ is not his work, the directors have a personal initiative, “insisted Eric Dupond-Moretti.
Many sporting or cultural events are regularly organized in prison. In Fresnes, one of the latest was a concert with the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra in which prisoners participated, in addition to football, basketball or plays tournaments.