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

Ugo Pascolo 06:00, February 29, 2024

It's no secret that French prisons are overflowing.

Last December, the Ministry of Justice indicated that the overall prison density was 123.3%.

Worse, if we focus on 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.

All age groups unanimous

In this context, 83% French people believe that more prison places should be built, according to our CSA survey for Europe 1, CNews and "Le Journal du Dimanche"*.

A result also identical to a previous survey carried out in March 2022. 

All age groups are unanimous on this necessity: 86% for those aged 35-49, those aged 50 and over, and those over 65.

Those under 35 agree the least with this statement, with 76% having a favorable opinion, compared to 24% unfavorable. 

No left-right divide

In light of the political opinions of the respondents, the observation is also similar.

74% of left-wing supporters think that more prison places should be built.

A figure which rises to 83% among socialist voters and which drops to 64% among Europe Ecologie-Les Verts.

As for the Insoumis, 71% are in favor of it. 

On the right, this idea appeals to 88% of voters on average, including 84% among the National Rally, and up to 94% among the Republicans.

As for Renaissance supporters, 92% want to see new prison places emerge.  

*Self-administered online questionnaire on panelb carried out on February 27 and 28.

Nationally representative sample of 1,014 people aged 18 and over Quota method based on the criteria of sex, age and profession of the respondent after stratification by region and urban category.

To ensure the representativeness of the results, the data were adjusted for the variables of sex, age, profession, region and urban category.