Missing toilets, mattresses without covers or mattress pads when the cells have them, meals not distributed… the list of dysfunctions is long. This Monday, administrative justice pinned down the two main police stations in Marseille. Denouncing “undignified” police custody conditions and undermining the “integrity” of the suspects, she ordered the renovation of the cells.
This decision follows the visit of the president of the Bar Association. In an order dated Monday, the administrative court of Marseille requires in particular the installation of toilets as well as “an air renewal and heating system guaranteeing hygiene”, whether at the police station in deprived areas in the north of the town or at the Bishop’s police station.
Three months max to comply with the rules
In detail, she considers that each cell must be cleaned daily and provided with “a mattress protector, a mattress in satisfactory condition, a blanket”. Likewise, the administrative judge requests that those held in police custody be able to benefit from “regular meals three times a day, hygiene kits, a mask, hydroalcoholic gel” and “an appropriate quantity of drinking water”.
The “lawyer interview” premises will also have to be moved, in particular to respect the rights of the defense while awaiting work. And a call button must be available for each person in custody. The summary judge gives the Ministry of the Interior one to three months to comply with its requests, under penalty of a penalty of 250 euros per day of delay.