Notorious French gangster Redoine Faid broken out of prison in helicopter raid - Sensationalist Headlines

Does France not have a proper maximum security prison? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Penitentiary,_Florence_ADX The US has ADX Florence for our federal system. While I generally disagree with the conditions inside prison, Florence is the exception. That is where you send the people like the Writer or heads of drug cartels or terrorist organizations. This prison does shit like make sure all the windows only face the sky so that a prisoner has no idea where inside the facility they are even being housed. The entire place is designed to be confusing and disorienting. The place EXPECTS external as well as internal threats.

The answer is simple grab the choppers with the phys gun and smack it up and down onto the ground

Yes. France actually has the largest prison in Europe - the Fleury-Mérogis. (Though I'm not sure if by 'largest' they mean in terms of size or by amount of inmates). https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/215204/bb55c318-56e1-4094-ad81-fa3bfa925a10/6784083_fleury-ma_1000x625.jpg

The prison courtyard where the helicopter landed was the only area not protected by anti-aircraft netting. Prison union representative Martial Delabroye said that was because inmates do not use it, "except to leave the prison". So it did have countermeasures, they just failed.

Yeah, and give free tickets to the terrorized people held hostage and the family of the cop killed in his bank robbery. I'm sure they'll appreciate how ~epic~ it is and why he should be let go.

Alternative solution: Amass thousands of homing pigeons who's brains have been genetically modified to track aircraft and keep them in a giant box. When aircraft come near release the bajillions of them and watch them either A: flee or B: get covered in bird shit. Aint gonna have any choppers coming in then.

I can't really find anything suggesting the security level. I'm especially confused as to how the guy managed to gain access to a portion of the prison that is normally only used when an inmate leaves the facility. Which again, leads me to believe that the facility isn't exactly ideal in terms of security. The age of the facility alone would make the physical structure itself likely to be poorly designed. 1960's era facilities do not have the requisite sight lines and layout to be worth a damn.

We had a similiar thing happen here in Sydney, I believe it's illegal to fire your weapon at helicopters as a guard. There was a lot of backlash because that happened but he was hailed a hero regardless. Can't imagine using AA would be legal

So was this guy in this prison complex? Doesn't look very approachable from air, I can't imagine anyone landing an unsanctioned aircraft there.

Nah, Faid was imprisoned in Sud-Francilien, I believe. https://files.facepunch.com/forum/upload/215204/b2a6f2c3-0e86-4be3-8fb5-1f9e3576a1b0/ref-236-photo.jpg Still pretty intimidating, though.

Is that a public highway right next to it? Seems a bit strange having it so close

I know what you mean when you start looking into it, despite the picture painted of omnipotent law enforcement and worldwide surveillance, there is a surprising amount of ultra successful criminals getting away with absolutely brazen activities even today, including stuff like bank robberies, stealing from high security facilities, jewel and art theft, diamond smuggling galore, sneaking arms and explosives through airport security, etc etc.

The prison in Galesburg, IL is right next to a major highway, I remember seeing inmates in the yard while passing by on a couple of occasions. As you're approaching the stretch of highway running next to it, there are signs posted that say "do not pick up hitchhikers"

The prison courtyard where the helicopter landed was the only area not protected by anti-aircraft netting. Prison union representative Martial Delabroye said that was because inmates do not use it, "except to leave the prison". Sounds to me like it served its purpose. What's the issue?

that's because all that surveillance shit really only works on law abiding citizens for the most part

I'm just surprised and happy that you had armed men break into a prison and nobody died.

He got got https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-45729071