On April 1, there were 66,309 detainees in 188 French prisons against 72,575 on March 16, or 6,266 fewer people, according to figures from the Chancellery.

The number of detainees in French prisons decreased by 6,266 people between March 16 and April 1, said Friday the Ministry of Justice, which took measures to relieve congestion in prisons to prevent the spread of coronavirus. On April 1, there were 66,309 detainees in 188 French prisons against 72,575 on March 16, according to figures from the Chancellery. This unprecedented drop is linked both to a decrease in judicial activity, which leads to a reduction in the number of new detainees, and to early releases.