76,258 people were detained in France on February 1, a new record

An increase of 5.5% in one year. The number of prisoners in France reached a new record on February 1, with 76,258 people incarcerated, or 3,964 more than the previous year, according to figures published by the Ministry of Justice on Thursday February 29. This is the highest prisoner figure ever recorded, according to Prison Service statistics. As of February 1, French prisons had 61,737 operational places. Prison overpopulation therefore stood at 123.5%.

In remand centers, where prisoners awaiting trial and those sentenced to short sentences are incarcerated, the occupancy rate is 147.7%. It reaches or even exceeds 200% in 16 establishments or districts. Due to this overcrowding, 3,059 prisoners are forced to sleep on a mattress placed on the floor, or 50.2% more than a year ago.

As of February 1, there were 16,383 non-detainees placed under an electronic bracelet or placed outside. The number of convicts housed in external placement was 203 as of February 1, an increase of 21.6% in one year. 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.