France: Uproar over video showing prison inmates setting up go-kart track

An uproar has broken out in France from video released online showing prisoners in prisons have fun having created a go-kart track in the front yard, as well as obstacles inspired by the famous reality show Survivor.

As stated by lefigaro.frit all started when a 25-minute video surfaced showing inmates at Fresnes prisons participating in go-karts and other games in the prison yard based on a French TV show based on Survivor.

Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti described the video as “shocking” and ordered an internal investigation. All this while the ministry’s press office said it approved the project and saw the film before it was screened to ensure there would be no concerns about prison security.

Le Figaro reported that approval for the event and the release of the video had been made at the “highest level” of the ministry, but officials told the paper: “What was presented to us did not mention the card. He was talking about sporting challenges,” an unnamed staff member told the paper.

In fact, the specific event is believed to have been approved by the French penitentiary authority. Jimmy Delliste, the warden of the prison in Fresnes, south of Paris, defended the event, saying it was a “fraternal occasion” and thanked the organizers. The games raised €1,700 for charity, he said.

“Our prisons are not vacation camps where inmates and guards bond,” said one Republican congressman. For his part, the prison official said that none of the participants had been convicted of murder or rape and added that the event did not cost “a single penny” to the French taxpayer.