Overview
- Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said the director had committed a fault and could not remain in charge, though he would not be expelled from the civil service, and the deputy director has taken interim control.
- A disciplinary review found the external activity was not reported to the interregional penitentiary director and concluded the escorting setup and staffing were insufficient.
- The detainee slipped away without violence during a group visit where six prisoners were unhandcuffed and supervised by three Education Ministry staff rather than prison officers.
- The fugitive is 37, was convicted in December 2024 for thefts with detention until March 2027, and had previously escaped, according to officials.
- Authorities say the search continues, and the incident has renewed scrutiny of how prisoner outings are authorized and supervised.