The number of detainees in French prisons fell by 6,266 between March 16 and April 1, the Justice Minister said on Friday. The latter has taken measures to relieve congestion in prisons in order to prevent the spread of the 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.
Not all detainees can claim it
On March 19, the Keeper of the Seals Nicole Belloubet asked the courts to "postpone the execution of the short prison terms". In an interview with the Sunday Sunday newspaper, she also explained the criteria for the prisoners' release from prison: having less than two months of detention remaining to be served and not having been convicted of a crime, acts linked to terrorism or domestic violence. Those concerned are placed under house arrest and may be returned to prison if they fail to comply with the obligations of confinement.
These measures were taken to limit the Covid-19 pandemic in French prisons. On March 16, a prisoner from Fresnes (Val-de-Marne) died from the coronavirus. At the end of the same month, a prison supervisor in Loiret died, affected by the Covid-19.
