THE CRIME CATEGORY OF 'BANDITRY' (BANDITISME) IS USED IN FRANCE TO REFER TO VIOLENT, ORGANIZED, PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS WHOSE OFFENSES INCLUDE ARMED ROBBERY, CRIMINAL USE OF EXPLOSIVES, EXTORTION, AND MURDER BY CONTRACT. IN FRANCE, THIS KIND OF OFFENDER IS AMONG THOSE PUT IN INSTITUTIONS WHICH EMPHASIZE SECURITY RATHER THAN REHABILITATION. THE FRENCH CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM USES A DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT STRATEGY WHICH SEEKS TO USE ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT OR LIBERAL CONDITIONS OF IMPRISONMENT FOR MOST OFFENDERS. CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL INTERVIEWED AGREED ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY THAT THE INMATES CONVICTED OF BANDITRY OFFENSES COULD NOT BE REHABILITATED AND THAT THEIR SUBCULTURE SERVED TO REINFORCE THEIR OWN CRIMINALITY AND THAT OF OTHER INMATES. --IN FRENCH