Hostage Situation at Arles Prison Ends Peacefully After Five Hours

A 37-year-old inmate armed with a handmade weapon surrendered without injuries after taking five staff members hostage in the prison infirmary.

The incident began at 11:15 AM in the infirmary of the Arles prison, where the inmate used makeshift weapons to take four medical staff and one prison guard hostage.
The perpetrator, serving an 18-year sentence for armed rape and known for violent behavior, was demanding a transfer to another facility.
Specialized intervention forces, including the RAID unit, were deployed, but negotiations led to the inmate's surrender by 3:30 PM.
All hostages were released unharmed and are receiving psychological support to address potential trauma from the ordeal.
The inmate, originally from Guyana and described as impulsive with significant psychiatric issues, is now in custody and will undergo further psychiatric evaluation.