The number of prisoners in France reached a new record on January 1, with 75,897 people incarcerated, an increase of 0.3% in one month and 5.2% in one year, according to figures published Wednesday January 31 by the Ministry of Justice.
This is the highest number of prisoners ever recorded, according to prison administration statistics.
As of January 1, French prisons had 61,767 operational places (+1.8% in one year).
The overall prison density stands at 122.9%.
In remand centers, where detainees awaiting trial, and therefore presumed innocent, and those sentenced to short sentences are incarcerated, the occupancy rate is 147.6%.
It reaches or even exceeds 200% in 14 establishments.
Mattress on the floor
Due to this overcrowding, 2,840 prisoners are forced to sleep on a mattress placed on the floor, or 36.5% more than a year ago.
Among those incarcerated, 19,936 are defendants, incarcerated while awaiting their judgment.
They represent 26.3% of the total number of prisoners.
In total, 91,647 people were detained as of December 1.
Among them, there are 15,750 non-detainees placed under an electronic bracelet or placed outside.
The proportion of women imprisoned (3.7% of the total prison population) and minors (1%) remains almost stable.
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.