Minister Morgan visits special prison on Marie Louise island |09 June 2014

The Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, Joël Morgan, on Friday visited the special prison on Marie Louise island, a high security prison facility which caters for prisoners who have been convicted of drug trafficking primarily.  Accompanying Minister Morgan on his visit was the deputy chief executive of the Islands Development Company, Ronny Renaud, and Superintendent Maxime Tirant, who has responsibility for the Montagne Posée prison on Mahé, the prison facility on Coetivy and a youth detention facility on Praslin which is under construction.

 
On arrival the minister was met by R. Ernesta, the superintendent responsible for the Marie Louise special prison, who introduced the minister to his junior officers and the prison officers who were assembled.  

Mr Ernesta is currently assisted by two officers, who help in the running of the prison and supervise the guard force who are responsible for the safety and security of the facility and prisoners who are there serving out their sentences.

The Marie Louise special prison today boasts facilities to house prisoners in a secure and safe setting, as well as barracks for the prison wardens, administration office, a clinic, a training room with library, separate dining facilities for the prisoners and the wardens, exercise yard for the prisoners, other support facilities for the supply of power and water.  

The prison has accommodation for its senior staff and to host other support personnel who may visit from time to time.

In 2012 President James Michel set in motion the creation of the Marie Louise facility to cater for those who had been convicted of drug trafficking offences, with the first group arriving in February of the same year.  Today 90% of the prisoners are those who are there as a result of drug trafficking with the remainder considered to be a high security risk and who are not suitable to be accommodated at either the prison on Mahé or on Coetivy.  

Commenting on his visit the minister said he was satisfied with the progress that has been made since the facilities have started operating, adding that he was pleased with the adequate level of control and discipline within the prison. Minister Morgan also discussed with the prison administration the need to expand on agricultural opportunities at the special prison involving the prisoners as well as a workshop geared towards carpentry so as to enhance the skills of the prisoners.

After visiting all the facilities the minister commended the officers for their dedication to duty.