There have never been so many people in prison, given the number of places available.
According to data from the Ministry of Justice, in November the number of detainees reached its all-time high.
On November 1, there were 72,809 in French prisons, for 60,698 operational places, i.e. a prison density of 120%, against 115.4% a year ago.
The previous record was reached just before confinement, in mid-March 2020, according to statistical data from the Ministry of Justice.
Already in October, the record threatened to be overturned: French prisons then had 72,350 detainees, i.e. a prison density of 119.2% against 114.5% a year ago in the same month.