Europe 1 with AFP 4:11 p.m., March 29, 2024

As of March 1, 2024, France had 76,766 people incarcerated, according to figures published Friday by the Ministry of Justice. This corresponds to a new record according to prison administration statistics.

The number of prisoners in France reached a new record on March 1, with 76,766 people incarcerated, or 4,415 more than the previous year, according to figures published Friday by the Ministry of Justice. This is the highest number of prisoners ever recorded, according to prison administration statistics, with a very sharp increase in people forced to sleep on a mattress on the ground due to lack of space.

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SURVEY - For 83% of French people, more prison places must be built

6.1% increase in one year

As of March 1, 3,099 inmates were sleeping on a mattress on the floor compared to 2,026 a year ago. In one year, the prison population increased by 6.1%. As of March 1, French prisons had only 61,629 operational places.

The overall prison density stands at 124.6% but in remand centers, where detainees awaiting trial, and therefore presumed innocent, and those sentenced to short sentences are incarcerated, it reaches 148.7%. It reaches or even exceeds 200% in 12 establishments or districts. Among those incarcerated, 20,220 are defendants, incarcerated while awaiting their judgment.

In total, 93,708 people were detained as of March 1. Among them, there are 16,942 non-detainees placed under an electronic bracelet or placed outside. Faced with this chronic prison overcrowding, the Council of Europe expressed its “deep concern” in mid-March.

Attempts to limit prison overcrowding

The French authorities have taken measures to try to remedy this prison overcrowding: banning prison sentences of less than one month, modifying sentences, home detention under electronic surveillance or developing community service for example. But these prove insufficient.

The Council of Europe notably invited the French authorities to "seriously and quickly examine the idea of ​​introducing a binding national prison regulation mechanism". The government is still counting on the construction of 15,000 new prison places by 2027.