France has big plans for a new high-security prison. This prison will be in the Amazon rainforest. It is near the old Devil’s Island penal colony. This colony was famous for its harsh conditions. It inspired a movie called "Papillon" in 1973. The new prison will be in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni. This is a town in French Guiana. French Guiana is a territory that borders Suriname and Brazil.

The Justice Minister of France, Gérald Darmanin, talked about this plan. He said the prison will help with overcrowding. It will also fight drug trafficking. French Guiana is a big route for cocaine going to Europe. The area has a lot of crime. The homicide rate is much higher than in mainland France. The minister wants to make sure people in French Guiana feel safe. He said criminals often bribe officials and run their operations from jail.

The new prison will hold 500 inmates. Sixty of them will be in maximum security. The plan includes a court too. It will cost 400 million euros. There are already 49 high-level drug traffickers in custody. They are not in secure conditions now. This new prison aims to change that. It will be a big step in keeping dangerous criminals under control.

The old Devil’s Island penal colony was known for its bad conditions. It was so harsh that it inspired a 1939 film. The new prison hopes to be different. It will be modern and secure. The goal is to keep criminals from running their operations from inside. This will help make French Guiana safer. The new prison is a big investment. It shows France's commitment to security in its overseas territories.

The Amazon rainforest is a unique place. Building a prison there is a big task. The new prison will be a major change. It will help fight crime and keep people safe. The plan is ambitious. It will take a lot of work. But it could make a big difference. Time will tell if it succeeds. For now, it is a bold step forward.

FRANCE PRISON PLANS

Amazon Jungle to Get a New High-Security Prison

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