During his two-day visit to Réunion Island, the Minister of Justice focused on prison issues. In the morning, he officially launched the construction of the future local court in Saint-Benoît, a project for which he had requested funding at the end of 2025, despite a tight budget. Costing nearly €6 million, this facility is scheduled for completion in May 2027 and will replace a building whose condition no longer guaranteed satisfactory safety standards.
After visiting the Saint-Denis prison, Gérald Darmanin announced an investment of over one million euros to strengthen the facility's security. Plans include the installation of a millimeter-wave scanner, jammers, and anti-drone devices, as well as infrastructure improvements. Eleven additional prison guards are also expected to join the staff by the end of 2026.
A project for a new prison facility is under consideration.
The Minister of Justice confirmed the opening next year of a modular facility in Le Port, offering 80 additional places for semi-open detention. He also expressed his support for the construction of a new prison in the department, as the situation in Saint-Pierre is regularly criticized for overcrowding and the dilapidated state of the facilities. Discussions are underway with elected officials to identify suitable sites for a future prison.
The minister finally announced the upcoming arrival of three additional judges at the Court of Appeal in Réunion, as well as court clerks and a vice-president in charge of family law. These announcements come amidst significant pressure on the judicial and prison infrastructure in France's overseas territories.
