France to Build High-Security Prison in Amazon Jungle After Prison Attacks

France Announces Controversial New Prison in Amazon Jungle Amidst Gang Violence France's Justice Minister, Gérald Darmanin, recently announced plans to construct a high-security prison deep within the Amazon rainforest in French Guiana. This decision comes in response to a series of violent attacks on French prisons earlier this year, which authorities believe were coordinated and linked to drug gangs. The new prison, slated to open as early as 2028, will house up to 500 inmates, with a dedicated wing for France's most dangerous criminals. The location, chosen for its extreme isolation, aims to disrupt the operations of drug trafficking networks. "This new prison will serve as a lasting means of removing the heads of the drug trafficking networks in France," Darmanin stated during a press visit to the construction site. However, the announcement has angered many in French Guiana, with local officials expressing concerns about the project's impact on the region. The attacks earlier this year involved arson, gunfire, and graffiti, with the initials "DDPF" (Droits des Prisonniers Français, or "Rights for French Prison Inmates") left at several locations, suggesting the violence was a form of protest against new police laws. France's Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, stated, "It's not they who have declared war on us. It's we who declared war on them with our new law." The new prison, while intended to enhance security and combat organized crime, highlights the ongoing tension between law enforcement and criminal elements in France.