The French justice minister says a deal has been struck with New Caledonia's customary Senate to allow chiefs to visit inmates.
French Justice Minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas leaves following a cabinet meeting at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on December 10, 2016. Photo: Thomas SAMSON / AFP
Jean-Jacques Urvoas made the announcement in Noumea on the first day of his five-day stay in the territory.
He says the arrangement is aimed at allowing traditional Kanak leaders to meet the inmates and break their isolation so as to make it easier for them to return to a normal life after their release.
Mr Urvoas says sentences don't only have to be jail terms but can involve sanctions within the tribe.
The minister's visit was announced last month after the French interior convened a special meeting with New Caledonian politicians in Paris to discuss the clashes near Noumea.
It was agreed to set up a special unit to counter youth delinquency.