Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be inside a Maison d’arrêt? Here we are, standing in front of the Maison d’arrêt de Villepinte. Built in 1991, this prison was part of a larger project to alleviate overcrowding in French prisons. The structure you see today is made up of six buildings forming four wings. It can house over 580 people, all in single or double cells. The Maison d’arrêt de Villepinte has a unique feature: a program called “Respect”, which aims for prisoner rehabilitation through assigned activities. It is considered a pioneering program in France, inspired by similar programs in Spain. In 2018, statistics showed a decline in violence within the part of the prison where this program is implemented. The Maison d’arrêt de Villepinte is more than just a prison; it is a testament to the ongoing struggle to balance security and rehabilitation within the French penal system.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.