Hostage Situation at Arles Prison: Armed Inmate Holds Five People

A hostage situation is underway this Friday, January 3, at the central prison in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône). Since late morning, a 37-year-old inmate, armed with makeshift weapons, has been holding four medical staff members and a prison guard hostage in the prison’s healthcare unit.

An Inmate with a History of Psychiatric Issues

Convicted of rape under the threat of a weapon and eligible for release in 2031, the hostage-taker is known for his psychiatric issues. Injured during a fight, he is demanding a transfer to another prison facility. Authorities have stated that he is neither radicalized nor under special surveillance.

Special forces from the RAID unit, regional intervention and security teams (ERIS), and local prison security teams have been deployed to the scene to manage the crisis.

“All resources have been mobilized to address the situation. I am monitoring its developments in real time,” said Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin on the platform X. Catherine Vautrin, Minister of Labor, also confirmed she is closely following the events in coordination with the teams on-site.

The central prison in Arles, which currently houses 137 inmates serving long sentences, has a capacity of 159. This incident comes just one day after Gérald Darmanin’s visit to Marseille, during which he advocated for tougher penalties against those who threaten state officials, including prison guards.