New Caledonia's corrections workers union has raised the alarm about the territory's prison, saying the situation at Camp Est is extremely tense and dangerous.
The union says new premises are urgently needed to replace the overcrowded 19th century jail.
Walter Zweifel reports.
"The union says on Saturday security forces had to be called in after about one hundred inmates refused to return to their cells in protest at the filth and poor conditions. The union says the process of building a new facility needs to be speeded up instead of sending yet another delegation to appease the situation. This comes after the French justice minister, Christiane Taubira, said she was considering sending a mission to improve the situation. Last year, Paris announced plans to extend the jail by 2016 but the city of Noumea has refused to issue a building permit."
