The administrative court of Nice condemned this Tuesday, April 18 the State to redo the police custody cells of the police station of Nice and to clean them daily, after a report of the chairman who notably denounced their unsanitary, according to the decision consulted by the AFP.
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This order, issued following a request from the order of lawyers of the Nice bar, enjoins the Minister of the Interior to proceed, within three months and under a penalty of 250 euros per day after expiry of this period, “to repair work in police custody cells (…) likely to improve the material conditions for the installation of persons in police custody” and this pending the relocation of the police station.
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Installed in the former Auvare barracks, the Nice police station is to be replaced, within a few years, by a new police station whose work has just begun in a former hospital.
A “very complicated” situation
The State must also, without delay this time, carry out the daily cleaning of the cells and the toilets, under penalty of being inflicted with penalties of 100 euros per day of delay, adds the ordinance. Within fifteen days without penalty, he must finally “take all measures” to provide custody “a mattress in satisfactory condition”, “single-use cover”, “a hygiene kit” et “an adequate quantity of drinking water”continues the administrative court.
This decision follows a visit organized on March 15 by the President of Nice, Me Adrien Verrier, as part of a national day dedicated to places of deprivation of liberty. Me Verrier had then discovered a situation “very complicated”.
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“Cleaning was never done”, “the very very thin disposable blankets were reserved for new people in custody”, “these had no hygiene kit, were forced to knock on their door to ask for water or to go to the toilet” et “There was excrement on the walls”he says. “Cells of 4 m2 were sometimes used by two people and those of 12 m2 by four, five or six people”completes the chairman.
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A report drafted by him was then sent to the Keeper of the Seals, before a “referred useful measure” is filed with the Administrative Court on March 21. At the hearing held on April 4, the Ministry of the Interior did not appear.
Even though this situation “is not specific to Nice”, “a decision of this nature, with such penalties, is unheard of”affirms Me Verrier, welcoming an ordinance “very brave”.
