After an initial unsuccessful call for bids, the gouvernment has not given up the idea of building a new detention center in Mesnil Amelot. A new call to select a developer – essentially, a company which will plan the construction of the new detention center (development of the technical program, selection of the company or several companies in charge of the future construction project, etc.) – was closed on September 1, 2023. The name of the developer is not known yet, but the files that have been posted online at https://www.marches-publics.gouv.fr/ already provide a lot of information about what this new detention center will be like.
The feasibility study, validated and stamped by the “Ministry of the Interior,” was carried out with the assistance of the company A2MO. This developer, which has already taken part in the installation of the Foreign Legion at the Larzac military camp, and worked with the Ministry of the Interior on the construction of new police stations, is present in numerous cities (Lyon, Paris, Marseille, …).
What do we learn from this document, thick of several hundred pages?
► The new detention center is planned on a portion of the site of the former Detention Center n°1 in Mesnil Amelot (in operation from 1995 to 2011, located at 1 rue Périchet), right in front of the runways of Charles de Gaulle Airport. The site is currently occupied by the french Border Police Force (PAF) and Vigipirate (surveillance and protection force against terrorist threats). The PAF will remain, but Vigipirate personnel will depart, and their buildings will be demolished to make room for the new detention center. The estimated cost of the project is 15 million euros.
► The new detention center will have 64 places: two blocks of 32 places, each composed of 16 two-bed “rooms”.
► The detention blocks will be organized around an interior courtyard of only 150 square meters. The courtyard will be delimited by a smooth facade, to “prevent climbing risks,” and with “integrated roof fencing.” In short, a cage…
► The detention blocks will be on the ground floor, while on the first floor, there will be various offices and premises for the PAF, including a video-surveillance room, with a direct view of the detainees.
► The security measures go to great lengths and include a “perimeter-intrusion detection system, and infrared/hyperfrequency detection on the bedroom blocks,” as well as video surveillance. A “patrol path” is also planned, consisting of 2 lines of 2.5m high rigid fencing, 2 meters apart one from the other, and “having very high resistance.”
► Police workforce :
2 day shifts of 30 agents (6:30 AM – 5:30 PM and 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM) + 10 other various agents (detention center chief, deputy, registry, logistics, …).
2 night shifts of 11 agents (7:30 PM – 6:30 AM).
► When?
The document mentions that the developer’s mission should start in September 2023. The development of the technical program and the selection of companies should last 9 weeks. Several dates are mentioned, with construction starting in 2025 and expected to last 2 years.
Logically, in the coming weeks or months, we should learn more about the name of the developer and other collaborationist companies which will be involved in the construction of this new detention facility. We will, of course, keep you posted, and will soon propose a moment to organize against this construction project.