Prison disciplinary proceedings and its difficult combination with ; Le contentieux disciplinaire pénitentiaire et sa difficile combinaison avec les mesures d'ordre

Abstract

The measures taken by the direction of a prison in respect of a detainee as a result of a disciplinary offence are generally of two different kinds: either they constitute disciplinary measures, governed by the disciplinary procedure set out in the general law, or they constitute internal measures which are not subject to the disciplinary proceedings and to the guarantees which they entail. These two measures are cumulative. In the view of the Conseil d'État, however, measures of order may constitute covert disciplinary sanctions, because 'dictated exclusively or principally by an intention to punish the detainee for disciplinary misconduct.' They are sometimes not mere measures of order, if they are 'taken on the basis of the conduct of the detainee which substantially alters his rights or legal position'. In both cases, they became open to challenge before the Council of State, when it was still competent in this area. The precise practices of penitentiary institutions in this area have long been poorly known. However, the entry into force of the right of complaint, while terminating the direct jurisdiction of the Conseil d'État (Council of State), has led to the development of a major dispute and, with it, to highlight these practices. An analysis of about 50 decisions by the French-speaking complaints and appeals committees on this subject enables us to propose an overview of these practices and to question their validity, effectiveness and efficiency. ; Les mesures prises par la direction d'une prison à l'égard d'un détenu à la suite d'un fait disciplinaire sont généralement de deux natures différentes : soit elles constituent des sanctions disciplinaires, encadrées par la procédure disciplinaire figurant dans la loi de principes, soit elles constituent des mesures d'ordre intérieur, non sujettes à la procédure disciplinaire et aux garanties qu'elle implique. Ces deux mesures sont cumulables. Pour le Conseil d'État, les mesures d'ordre peuvent toutefois constituer des sanctions disciplinaires déguisées, car ...