Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Jodar warns of New Caledonia jail revolt

Posted at 05:25 on 15 January, 2010 UTC

New Caledonia’s USTKE union leader, Gerard Jodar, has warned of a possible uprising at the territory’s jail because of the poor conditions there

Jodar made the comment after the court of appeal ordered his early release from the Camp Est prison where he had been serving a one-year sentence since June.

He says people in that jail are being treated like dogs.

His incarceration has been used by the union to campaign for changes at the territory’s jail which is among the most overcrowded prisons run by France.

The French government has said it will address what it calls an unacceptable situation.