The number of prisoners in France reached a new record on December 1, with 75,677 people incarcerated compared to 75,130 the previous month, according to figures published Friday by the Ministry of Justice. This is the highest number of prisoners ever recorded, according to prison administration statistics.
As of December 1, French prisons had 61,359 operational places. The overall prison density stands at 123.3%. In remand centers, where detainees awaiting trial, and therefore presumed innocent, and those sentenced to short sentences are incarcerated, the occupancy rate is 148.5%. It reaches or even exceeds 200% in 11 establishments.
15,000 new prison places by 2027
In total, 17,506 detained people are currently in excess of the places available in French prisons. Due to this overcrowding, 2,748 detainees are forced to sleep on a mattress placed on the floor. There were 2,133 in this case a year ago.
Among those incarcerated, 20,156 are defendants, incarcerated while awaiting their judgment. They represent 26.4% of the total number of prisoners. In total, 91,855 people were detained as of December 1. Among them, there are 16,178 non-detainees placed under an electronic bracelet or placed outside.
The proportion of women imprisoned (3.7% of the total prison population) and minors (0.8%) remains almost stable. Faced with chronic prison overcrowding – which earned France a new condemnation from the European Court of Human Rights in July – the government is counting on the construction of 15,000 new prison places by 2027.