The number of detainees in France exceeded the 71,000 mark on April 1. A figure which confirms the rise above the symbolic threshold of 70,000 recorded in March, according to official figures published on Friday.
On April 1, French prison establishments had 71,053 prisoners for 60,683 operational places, i.e. an overall prison density of 117.1% against 107.1% a year ago.
The number of people incarcerated had passed the 70,000 mark on March 1, a threshold which had not been reached in French prisons since the start of the health crisis two years ago.
Over one year, there are 5,927 more prisoners, representing a growth of 9.1% of the prison population.
DENSITY OVER 200% IN 6 PRISONS
According to statistical data from the Ministry of Justice, 13,996 detainees are currently in excess of the places available in penitentiary establishments. Prison density stands at 139% in remand centers where prisoners awaiting trial – and therefore presumed innocent – and those sentenced to short sentences are imprisoned.
Forty-four French prisons have a density greater than 150%. This density even exceeds 200% in six establishments (222.3 in Bordeaux-Gradignan, 217% in Nîmes, 215.8% in Perpignan, 205.1% in Fontenay-le-Comte, 204.7% in Carcassonne and 203, 1% in Foix).
Due to this overcrowding, 1,878 prisoners are forced to sleep on mattresses on the floor. They were 830 in this case on April 1, 2021. Among the detainees, 19,351 are defendants, imprisoned pending their trial.
In total, 86,518 people were placed in prison on April 1, including 15,465 non-detainees subject to placement under electronic bracelet (14,719) or placement outside (746). The number of women prisoners (3.6% of the total prison population) and that of minors (0.8%) is stable compared to March and slightly down compared to a year ago.