The number of inmates in French prisons decreased slightly in August following a year of continuous growth, marking the first decline after ten consecutive months of increases.

This reduction, attributed to the seasonal slowdown in judicial activity over the summer, brought some temporary relief to an overburdened system. However, the overall situation remains dire, with French prisons still struggling to cope with severe overcrowding.

On 1 July, France set a record high with 78,509 inmates, a figure that has since fallen slightly. As of 1 September, the inmate population stood at 94,906, including 15,937 individuals wearing electronic bracelets or housed outside prison facilities.

The number of inmates forced to sleep on mattresses on the floor also saw a modest decrease but remains a pressing issue, with 3,609 prisoners in this situation compared to 2,361 a year ago.

Overcrowded Facilities

French prisons currently have a capacity of 62,014 places, but with 94,906 individuals detained as of September, the system is operating at 127.3 percent over capacity.

The overcrowding is particularly acute in certain pre-trial detention centers, where the rate soars to 153.6 percent. In 17 establishments across the country, prison capacity reaches or exceeds 200 percent, creating inhumane conditions for many inmates.

France’s penal institutions are also stretched by the presence of 20,563 individuals awaiting final judgment, many of whom are presumed innocent but remain incarcerated due to the slow pace of the judicial system.

The situation is further exacerbated by short sentences handed down in overcrowded facilities, which are ill-equipped to handle the number of detainees.

In total, France operates 188 prisons, detention centers, and other penal institutions, many of which are plagued by deteriorating infrastructure and a reputation for poor living conditions.

According to a June report by the Council of Europe, France ranks among the worst in Europe for prison overcrowding.

The study revealed that France has a prison density of 119 inmates per 100 available places, trailing only Cyprus (166) and Romania (120) in terms of overcrowding.

Attempts at Reform

In recent years, French authorities have taken measures to alleviate the pressure on the country’s penal system. The government implemented a ban on prison sentences of less than one month, seeking to divert minor offenders away from incarceration.

Adjustments to sentencing policies, as well as an increased emphasis on community service as an alternative to imprisonment, have also been introduced.

Despite these efforts, the progress remains slow. A previous government initiative aimed to create an additional 18,000 prison places by 2027, increasing overall capacity to 78,000.

However, this objective has fallen behind schedule, with construction delays and budget constraints hampering the development of new facilities.

‘Double Sentence’ Due to Climate

The overcrowding crisis in French prisons has also been compounded by extreme weather events, particularly during the summer months.

Inmates have had to endure stifling conditions as heatwaves sweep across the country, with little respite available in the outdated and ill-ventilated prison buildings.

Advocacy groups have raised concerns about the “double sentence” faced by prisoners, as climate change exacerbates the already harsh conditions within the prison system.

The French government faces mounting pressure to address the prison crisis as overcrowding continues to violate the rights and dignity of inmates.

While reforms are in progress, the current state of the penal system remains a glaring issue in the nation’s criminal justice landscape.