Interview

France: drugs in prison, an open secret

Is the circulation of drugs in everyone's interest?

< image © Valentin Lombardi.

It is a way for prisoners to cope with their sentences, and a way for the administration to contain the prison population: the circulation of cannabis in prison seems to be in the interest of both groups. Its resin, known as hash, is prohibited but pervasive. The contrast between the crackdown on trafficking and the tolerance of drug use raises questions on the role of drugs in prison.

Solenn Lebret-Dallaserra is a prison sociology PhD student exploring how drugs contribute to the maintenance of prison order. Prison Insider asked her three questions.

— This interview is part of the series Problems of substance: living with addiction in prison.

Consumption is not hidden.

The problem in prison is trafficking.