All 690 seats spread over three buildings

First, there is a blue door that opens. Towards the Interior. A court, anonymous. Then a corridor, white, neat. A security portal, functional. Finally, there are bars and behind, a Cathedral Hall where resound voices in a hubbub almost deafening. Frenzy of uniforms, men. Sound of footsteps, keys clicking, grinding of the chipped paint grids that open and close: remand Jacques-Cartier in Rennes hosts 480 inmates to 330 seats, a deemed rate of overcrowding of 140 "liveable" by its Director, Jérôme Harnois. The prison was built in 1903. It will close next year. Ten kilometres away, a huge construction is underway on 10 hectares: two years of work, 65 million fully funded by the State, 250 workers. The new prison of Rennes-Vezin-le-Coquet will be delivered in September 2009 and will open in January 2010. It includes a detention centre and a House of judgment. All 690 seats, spread over three buildings. Here, there is a shower and a sanitary installed by cell, including the disciplinary area. "It will change the lives of everyone," Note Jérôme Harnois. It is journalists visit the witness, corridors brightly coloured cell. A field of soccer, gym... and around two large watchtowers and overcome grey walls of cantina, this wire tip tapered as razor blades-specific.

The contrast was stark with Jacques-Cartier. For a century, planted near the railway station of Rennes prison has not moved or almost: the same double rows of cell wooden doors, the same heavy padlock... Outside, the world has changed, the rules have changed. Inside, "was it", says Jérôme Harnois. He managed to separate the defendants of the detainees, the major miners... A minimum, but that it "be put in perspective".

A huge delay to catch up with

For a century, the State has virtually not invested in its prisons. The delay in catching up is enormous, in terms of premises but work on the meaning of the sentence and the prison. For a decade, a major construction and renovation program was launched. Several institutions were closed, others open. In 2012, the Department of Justice promises 4.588 additional places. The equivalent of just over a third of prison overcrowding, today estimated at 12,000 held. And it remains almost 90 prisons on 194 dating from the end of the 19th century or the beginning of the 20th century, such as health, the Baumettes, but also Fresnes... All built practically on the same model.

At Jacques-Cartier, the young Director of forty years succeeded recently put in place a "neighbourhood newcomers." One of the rules laid down by the Council of Europe in 1973, and then revised in 1987 and 2006, and sensible to apply to all Member countries. This is where remand inmates spend their first week. But, contrary to what is recommended by the Council, in Rennes, given the dilapidated buildings, this specific area is not really separated from the rest of the prison: to take their shower, go by walk, newcomers must pass through buildings and "some may be submitted to the racket", recognizes Mr. Joseph, the first supervisor. However, "it can detect personalities, to explain how the establishment." "And we, it crashes less," he says.

That day, one of them is its package. It will integrate a cell where another inmate is already installed. At his arrival, the prison administration provided a mattress that will follow the duration of his detention, sheets, a towel, SOAP, a pen and a Notepad. "All that it degrades, it will have to pay", warned Mr. Joseph. Subsequently, if he wishes, he can "cantiner", buy tobacco, fruit, rent a television for 8 euros per fortnight. Once a month, it is the "large canteen", for those who can buy the Hi-Fi, sportswear...

"Of the rats, smells".

Over the first week, the administration hopes that the new inmate is will be gradually accustomed to noises, calls: "When you come here, it's the feeling of fear which predominates," says the first supervisor. That is felt this young heard yelling through the door of his cell in the disciplinary area He was born in 1991, he has just eighteen years of age. The neighbourhood of minors in the prison of the major, he assaulted a guard and was transferred in this cell at double door, sealed furniture.

Down the Hall, a small courtyard. Of bread, bottles litter the ground, torn clothes is hanged at the cantina. The detainees "yoyotent", swing after a piece of cloth coffee, cigarettes, which they seized from one cell to another. "With what falls, there are rats, smells, I tried everything to stop this phenomenon, but nothing to do," said Jerome Harnois. In the new facility, it will be finished. Front Windows as a matter of hygiene. "

"Citizen approach".

It is noon. 35 Inmates who work in the workshops of Jacques-Cartier returned to their cells for lunch. They pack cosmetics, make aprons for industrial governance of the prison administration. They are paid 3.90 euros per hour. "Finance training, bring work in prison, it is a civic approach," for Jérôme Harnois. The Director wants to believe in the usefulness of the prison: need this to be used for something." Here, at Cartier, it cannot push the walls ". With 480 prisoners, "the visiting rooms operate seven days a week." But can not be opened 24-hour... . He hoped many of the new premises. Even though, for him, which is important, this is "what is inside". ' "If the eyes of society does not change on an out of prison, is it won't happen", he added. Today, the prison Bill began his legislative career in the Senate (see page 2). It is considered still widely insufficient by experts.