I've known this a long time, because when Napoleon III created the bagnes and was asked: But who will guard these bandits? he answered: Worse bandits. Later on, I was able to confirm the fact that the founding father of the bagnes had not been lying.
The quote reflects the irony and paradox of how societies often choose to deal with criminality and punishment. Napoleon III's creation of the bagnes, or penal colonies, raises the question of who would oversee the criminals, to which he suggested that even worse bandits would be in charge. This acknowledgment reveals a deeper understanding of the complexities of justice and prison systems, where authority might come from those equally flawed or corrupt.
Henri Charrière's "Papillon" draws on this historical context to illustrate the harsh realities of life within the penal system. Charrière's narrative enhances the notion that the guardians of law and order may themselves embody the very qualities they punish. This book serves as a powerful commentary on the cyclical nature of crime and punishment, highlighting both the human condition and the failures of societal structures in rehabilitating individuals.
