Classic Prison Break in Dijon: Inmates Saw Bars, Escape with Bed Sheets
In a scene reminiscent of classic prison break movies, two inmates successfully escaped a facility in Dijon, France, by employing a method described as "old-fashioned": sawing through their cell bars and fashioning a rope from bed sheets. The daring early morning escape, which occurred on a Thursday, has brought renewed attention to the persistent issue of prison overcrowding in France.
Details of the Escape and Fugitives
Authorities confirmed the escape, stating that guards at the Dijon prison discovered the absence of the two men shortly before dawn. Dijon prosecutor Olivier Caracotch elaborated that the pair "seem to have sawn through bars" and subsequently "fled using bed sheets," though precise details on the bedsheet utilization were not immediately available.
Union representative Ahmed Saih, speaking on behalf of prison officers at the facility, confirmed that the escapees utilized "old-fashioned, manual saw blades" to cut through the metal bars, highlighting a potential security lapse or the sheer determination of the inmates.
The fugitives have been identified as a 19-year-old, who had been in pre-trial detention since October 2024 for a drug-related attempted murder charge, and a 32-year-old, incarcerated since 2023 for charges involving threats and violence against a partner.
Overcrowding Concerns and Neglect of Jails
This incident occurs amidst growing concerns regarding the state of French correctional facilities. Staff unions have frequently voiced complaints about severe overcrowding, arguing that the government's focus on building new "supermax" prisons for high-profile narco criminals has led to the neglect of existing, standard jails. This perceived neglect, they contend, creates environments ripe for such security breaches and challenges operational efficiency within the prison system.
