Back in prison: Mehdi steals a car after being released from prison!

Back in prison: Mehdi steals a car after being released from prison!

In a current case, a man from the Brétigny-sur-Orge region is causing a stir. Mehdi, a 43-year-old father of three, already has a long criminal past. With a total of 26 previous convictions, including for violent crimes, his remarkable recidivism attracted the attention of authorities. On July 6, 2025, he stole a car and was caught just a day after being released from prison. The police became aware when the vehicle owner reported that he had equipped his car with a GPS tracker. This led investigators to Mehdi and a minor accomplice, who were arrested in a parking garage in Juvisy-sur-Orge actu.fr reported.

During the trial on July 10, 2025, it emerged that Mehdi had accepted a reward of 400 euros for the theft. His intention to use the money to make ends meet was sharply criticized by prosecutors, who expressed doubts about the sincerity of his remorse. Given his previous history, he was sentenced to ten months in prison, which he will serve electronically under the control of an ankle bracelet. However, he remains in custody until the judge decides whether he should be released.

The challenge of juvenile crime

Mehdin's case also raises larger questions about juvenile crime in the region. According to statistics, theft and robbery are the most common crimes among young people at 25%. Young people are particularly vulnerable to such crimes as many of them enter crime between the ages of 16 and 18. The transition to adult law brings significant changes for many: for example, a third of young adults do not receive alternative measures, while for minors over 60% are referred to care or educational measures, as justice data shows justice.gouv.fr.

A particularly shocking statistic is that 21% of men and 3% of women born in 1986 and 1987 were prosecuted at least once between the ages of 10 and 24. This highlights the need to respond early to the signs of delinquency.

Relapses and their origins

Mehdi's case is not isolated, but part of a broader trend, as the recidivism rate rose to 40% in 2019. This is particularly pronounced in the case of theft and receiving stolen property, with 22% of recidivists reoffending insee.fr. This growing problem calls for a rethink in the criminal justice system, as the high recidivism rates affect not only the justice system, but also society as a whole.

Mehdin's story reflects the challenges the justice system faces in fighting crime while imposing fair punishments. The question remains how prevention and rehabilitation can be further improved to get recidivism rates under control and ensure safety in our cities.