Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni (French Guiana) - Inside, nothing awaits the prisoners but the sheer harshness of French law. An escape? No use! Because for thousands of kilometers outside, they find nothing but swamps, trees and poisonous animals.

According to a report in the French newspaper"Le Journal du Dimanche", the decision and construction plan for the mega project have been virtually in the bag since last Saturday.

France's Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin (42) personally visited the French overseas territory and saw the site for the new prison with his own eyes.

Back in the 19th century, the Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni district in the north-west of the South American colony was a feared place known for holding the country's worst criminals.

Now, almost 75 years after its closure, the old reputation of the penal colony is to be honored once again. The newly built prison is soon to become the new home for 500 serious criminals. These will include the heads of various drug cartels as well as dangerous Islamist terrorists .

"The aim is to put the most dangerous drug dealers out of action," says Darmanin.

However, not everyone is convinced by the new 400 million euro construction project. The French trade union CGT, for example, criticized the Ministry of Justice's plan: "It is not Guyana's job to take in criminals and terrorists from mainland France."

Darmanin simply replies: "It must be ensured that the citizens of the overseas territories have the same security as the citizens of mainland France" and continues to stand by his plan.

In the next few days, the French Minister of Justice would like to visit an existing prison in the district.

The jungle prison would be the third high-security prison in France.