The Nice prison file (new or renovated) is hot, even burning, following the recent accusations and invectives exchanged between Eric Ciotti, who carries the nickname “Monsieur Autorité” of his party (LR) anti-Macron, and the right-wing or centrist elected officials who are part of the Alpes-Maritimes Ensemble group, Macron-compatible, with Christian Estrosi as the inspirer and conductor.
The recent stance taken by staff following assaults and disturbances has sounded the alarm and triggered a state of urgency: the end of uncertainties and a move to action. Hence, Eric Ciotti’s statements, always quick to add fuel to the fire, and the controversial reaction of the targeted officials.
In fact, everyone agrees that the current detention facility, located right in the city, is insufficient and unsuitable. However, there is divergence on the next steps: the mayor of Nice and his followers are against the construction of a new prison in the Var plain, in the La Baronne area.
This is contrary to what state services think, who at different levels advocate for the renovation of the current prison, the expansion of the Grasse facility, and… a new prison in La Baronne.
Yesterday morning, a working meeting was held with Mr. Georges-François LECLERC, Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes. The delegation of elected officials was led by Christian Estrosi.
“During this meeting, the President of the Metropolis and the Mayors of the right bank thanked the Prefect for his attentiveness and reaffirmed that they were aware of the necessity to create new detention places in the department to end prison overcrowding and thus contribute significantly to improving the working conditions of prison administration staff. They jointly indicated to the Prefect the importance they attach to respecting the positions of Mayors who freely manage their municipality, without their sense of the general interest being questioned,” stated the communiqué released after the meeting.
It continues: “They reaffirmed their position favoring the solution of a rehabilitation-extension of the current Nice prison near the Palais de Justice and an extension of the Grasse facility, at the expense of constructing a prison at Iscles Nord-La Baronne, which would undermine the development projects led by the communes and the Metropolis, as part of the National Interest Operation of the Var Plain.”
Prefect Leclerc reaffirmed his support for the Iscles Nord-La Baronne project, which is currently the only solution capable of resolving the overcapacity issue that the Nice prison faces, although “he accepted the principle of a very rapid working meeting so that the different projects, including that of Iscles Nord-La Baronne, which he sees as a solid project, could be presented in detail to the elected officials with supporting studies.”
The Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes also confirmed that the renovation works of the current Nice Maison d’Arrêt would be carried out in stages and would therefore not lead to a total closure of the facility for several months.
Christian Estrosi, as the President of the Metropolis and in agreement with the present Mayors, indicated to the Prefect that he would formulate new site proposals based on the specifications submitted by the State.
An appointment was requested with the Minister of Justice.
For now, things remain at a standstill, with everyone holding their positions. Eric Ciotti, bolstered by his standing within LR, can continue to attack his former allies, with whom relations have evidently deteriorated, to the point that typical political life, “friends” in this case, really rings false!
