A total of 122 inmates took their own lives in French prisons in 2021, according to a report communicated to AFP by the Ministry of Justice, a number up slightly from the two previous years.
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According to the same source, 111 people committed suicide in detention in 2020 and 114 in 2019. According to the International Observatory of Prisons (OIP), prisoners commit suicide six times more than the general population.
Several suicides have already been recorded since the beginning of the year in prisons across the country, notably in Fleury-Merogis (Essonne) and Fresnes (Val-de-Marne).
Friday, Sophiane, 25 years old and imprisoned since September 2020 in particular for domestic violence, was found dead hanged in his cell at the Fleury-Merogis remand center, said the Evry prosecution requested by AFP.
The prosecution has opened an investigation to find the causes of death, a systematic procedure after the death of an inmate.
Alone in his cell, Sophiane was discovered dead in his shower cubicle around 7:00 a.m. by the guards, when the cells opened.
A long farewell letter in which he mentions his ex-girlfriend and the death of a close friend has been found, according to a source familiar with the matter.
He was to be released next November, according to the prosecution and the interregional directorate of penitentiary services.
"
He had already made an attempt last year but he was not the subject of psychological monitoring or special surveillance by the agents
", regretted his sister to AFP.
The Robin des Lois association deplored "
this new suicide
" and "
once again, the opacity of the prison administration and the judicial authorities since, this Monday at the end of the day, the family still did not know where the body of the victim is
.
On February 14, a 44-year-old prisoner died following a fire in his cell in Fleury.
An investigation aims to determine "
if it is a suicide attempt or if the fire is accidental
".
At the Fresnes remand center (Val-de-Marne), the second largest prison in France, at least two deaths have been recorded since the beginning of the year.
The director of the establishment, Jimmy Delliste, immediately recalled his supervisors to "
rigor
" during their checks.
In August 2020, the Keeper of the Seals, Eric Dupond-Moretti, announced and launched an inspection mission to strengthen suicide prevention in prison.
The report was released in the spring of 2021, but the government has not yet wanted to make it public.
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