Testimonial

France: "They’ve put us back in prison"

Measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus? For those on partial release, self-isolation is like being imprisoned all over again.

Samy is detained on partial release in the west of France, in Le Mans. It is normally possible for these prisoners to go out during the week, notably to seek employment. Faced with the coronavirus pandemic and to limit social contact, those who are on partial release have been placed in detention. Samy tells his story.

They say that those on partial release will be detained in custody. Basically, we are just a prisoner number. It would suit them if we died in our cells.

Some detainees are going back and forth to work and could be carrying the virus. I am in a closed environment with them, so they are putting me in danger.