The laying of the first stone marks a key milestone in the realization of the future Rivesaltes penitentiary center. With a capacity of 515 places, this new establishment represents a significant investment of over 130 million euros, and its commissioning is scheduled for the first half of 2029. This project aims to significantly improve reception and working conditions, while addressing the challenges of prison overcrowding.
Perpignan Méditerranée Métropole has been supporting this major project since 2019. The Métropole played an essential role by facilitating the connection to networks, temporary infrastructure, and the electrical supply needed for the construction site, thus ensuring adherence to the schedule and the launch of works.
Beyond its penitentiary function, the future establishment is set to become an economic driver for the region. It is expected to create nearly 300 direct jobs in the long term, supplemented by numerous indirect and induced jobs. The construction also mobilizes a significant portion of the players in the building and public works sector.
The creation of this new center addresses several crucial issues for the penitentiary public service, particularly the improvement of working conditions for staff and the response to prison overcrowding. Its opening is planned for the first half of 2029.
The first stone ceremony was attended by numerous personalities, including Pierre Regnault de la Mothe, prefect; François Dussobat, vice-president of Perpignan Méditerranée Métropole; Benoist Apparu, Director General of the Public Agency for Justice Real Estate; Julien Potel, mayor of Rivesaltes; Jean Sol, senator for Pyrénées-Orientales; Anaïs Sabatini, deputy for Pyrénées-Orientales; Hermeline Malherbe, president of the Department of Pyrénées-Orientales; Bruno Berthet, secretary general of the prefecture; Stéphane Lanau, president of GE-RSE Service Achat Responsable; Florent Josende, president of the Federation of Building and Public Works 66; Cyrille de La Borde, CEO of Bouygues Bâtiment; and Jean-Christophe Nierga, president of the Federation of Public Works of the Pyrénées-Orientales. Many elected officials and representatives from the judicial and penitentiary worlds were also present.
With this milestone, the Rivesaltes penitentiary center project enters a new phase. Perpignan Méditerranée Métropole will continue its support alongside the State and the City of Rivesaltes until the establishment opens in 2029, thus contributing to a structuring facility for the territory and its economic and employment development.
