France incarceration numbers hit record high, and set to rise further with riot-related verdicts (2024)

The number of inmates reached a new record in France, with 74,513 people incarcerated as of July 1, compared with 73,699 as of June 1, according to figures released by the Justice Ministry on Monday, July 31. This represents 2,500 more inmates than on July 1, last year. It is the sixth time France has beaten its record number of inmates. But it is also a sad "first" since the 74,000 mark had never been reached.

France has 60,666 operational prison places. This gives an overall prison density of 122.8%, compared with 118.7% a year ago. In some facilities, this rate even exceeds 200%. This is the case in Majicavo (Mayotte, 278.1%); Perpignan (212.2%); Nîmes (212%); Rochefort (205.8%) and Foix (almost 205%). Because of such overcrowding, nearly 2,500 inmates sleep on floor mattresses every night. The share of inmates awaiting trial stands at around 27%.

The situation is set to worsen in the short term. The number of people incarcerated in connection with the riots sparked by the death of Nahel M., a 17-year-old killed by police on June 27, has not yet been fully counted. Urban violence occurred over eight days, between June 27, and July 5, peaking between June 30, and July 2. Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti called for a "rapid, firm, and systematic" response to these events.

Dupond-Moretti told RTL radio on July 19, 1,278 verdicts had been issued, out of which 742 implied jail time, the average sentence being 8.2 months. As a result, The number of inmates is expected to reach new highs.

Rehabilitation work virtually impossible

The issue of prison overcrowding is a recurring debate in France and Europe. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) repeatedly addressed the issue. On July 6, it handed down another ruling condemning France for substandard detention conditions.

While some say these numbers demonstrate the justice system is up to its mission, Dominique Simonnot, the controller general of French prisons, an independent position, has been warning authorities and the public of an explosive situation across the country. In her annual report, published in May, she painted an apocalyptic picture of French detention facilities. "Our society is tolerating what, in many respects, is akin to ancient corporal punishment, she said, pointing to "a dereliction on the part of the government."

Beyond the issue of human dignity and human rights, prison overcrowding is known to undermine the meaning and effectiveness of sentences. In saturated infrastructure, prison life becomes untenable, leading directly to violence and poor hygiene while impeding activities, work, and education. Working toward rehabilitation becomes almost impossible.

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