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New restaurant in Marseille: Ex-prisoners take off!
Find out how the SAS in France promotes the reintegration of ex-offenders through vocational training and social support.
New restaurant in Marseille: Ex-prisoners take off!
In France, efforts to reintegrate former inmates are at the center of public debate. Currently reported Radio France 59% of people released from prison are re-sentenced within five years. The majority of them have no professional experience, which significantly increases the recidivism rate.
To counteract this worrying trend, a Dismissal Assistance System (SAS) has been launched since 2018 with the support of the French government. This project aims to promote the integration of prisoners into society and reduce the recidivism rate. The first SAS was founded in Marseille, in the former women's department of the Baumettes. Since then, the SAS des Baumettes has become an important example of successful reintegration.
The role of the SAS and the restaurant Les Beaux-Mets
The Les Beaux-Mets restaurant opened in November 2022 as part of the SAS. It is run by the Festin organization, which specializes in reintegration through culinary experiences. Concepts from similar projects such as “The Clink” in London or “In Galera” in Milan come into play here. Chef Sandrine Sollier and a team of four kitchen assistants and three service staff offer the inmates not only employment, but also valuable training to develop their skills.
The special thing about Les Beaux-Mets is that the employees receive 45% of the minimum wage. This helps the former inmates not only earn money, but also learn to take responsibility. In 2024, 67% of the employees who worked at the restaurant achieved employment or further training, highlighting the effectiveness of this project.
Background of reintegration and challenges
But it's not just the SAS in Marseille that is fighting the high recidivism rate. Village Justice describes that these structures are part of a more comprehensive plan launched under the auspices of Nicole Belloubet, the former Minister of Justice. These initiatives focus on providing individual support and improving the transition period between prison and freedom, particularly for those inmates sentenced to less than 1-2 years.
The challenge remains great as almost half of the prisoners do not have a school qualification, which complicates integration into the labor market. Therefore, access to SAS is dependent on strict admission criteria that focus on a low risk of recidivism and a serious reintegration project.
In addition, the research project “Paths out of delinquency – reintegration of former offenders” under the direction of Christian Ghanem analyzes the conditions and courses of reintegration processes. It turns out that social relationships, work and training are crucial factors for successful reintegration. The project looks at different types of trajectories, from stabilization to stagnation, and highlights the role of paid work as a key to change.
The future development plans also envisage an expansion of the SAS structures, with the aim of creating a total of 2,000 places by 2022. This could not only combat overcrowding in prisons, but also significantly reduce the recidivism rate DBH Online reported.