France slammed for “Inhumane” prison conditions as overcrowding deepens

New data from the French Ministry of Justice shows that as of November 1, 2025, the prison population had exceeded 85,370 inmates.

According to France 24, this figure represents an increase compared to the previous month, highlighting a continuing upward trend in the number of prisoners.

French prisons have an operational capacity of only 62,668, resulting in an overcrowding rate of 136.2%. In other words, for every 100 available places, there are more than 136 inmates.

According to statistics published in July by the Council of Europe, the number of prisoners has increased by 5,243 compared to last year, placing France third in Europe for prison overcrowding—after Slovenia and Cyprus.

Experts note that the upward trend has been evident in recent months; on October 1, the prison population was 84,862 with an overcrowding rate of 135.8%.

Overcrowding in remand centers—facilities that house individuals awaiting trial and those serving short sentences—has reached 166.8%. This marks a slight increase from 165.4% the previous month and remains a major concern for experts.

Among France’s prisoners, 22,548 individuals are awaiting a final verdict, up from 22,301 the previous month.

In total, 103,035 people in France are under judicial supervision, compared to 102,086 last month. Of this number, 17,662 individuals are being monitored outside prison through electronic bracelets or other alternatives to incarceration.

France 24 emphasized that these figures once again highlight the deep challenges facing the French prison system, where overcrowding frequently leads to criticism regarding human rights and inhumane living conditions.

Judicial officials say they are considering measures to alleviate the pressure, but experts argue that the current trend signals the urgent need for broader reforms.

Human rights criticism over conditions in French prisons

French prisons face serious human rights challenges, largely due to severe overcrowding, inhumane conditions, and shortages in mental-health and hygiene services. These issues have drawn strong criticism from both domestic organizations and international institutions.

These structural problems not only violate inmates’ rights but also raise concerns about the overall integrity of France’s justice system.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has described the overcrowding in French prisons as a structural phenomenon and a violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits inhuman or degrading treatment.

In January 2020, the ECHR ordered France to compensate 32 inmates and emphasized that the country’s so-called preventive measures were insufficient. The court called for comprehensive improvements, but subsequent reports indicate that the problems persist.

Human Rights Watch, in a report titled “Double Punishment,” highlighted the lack of mental-health specialists in French prisons and stressed that overcrowding and isolation severely worsen conditions for inmates with psychological disorders.

The suicide rate in French prisons is seven times higher than in the general population, and more than 25% of inmates suffer from mental-health disorders, while psychological assessments are rare and usually limited to medication.

Meanwhile, France’s human rights office described prison conditions in 2024 as deteriorating, citing violations of basic rights such as safety, family visitation, access to education, and legal assistance.

Staff shortages have contributed to increased violence and limited access to healthcare services.

The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), in its 2019 report, criticized the poor conditions in police detention centers and overcrowding in prisons.

Similarly, the UN Committee Against Torture, in April 2025, expressed deep concern over the overcrowding crisis and urged France to reduce inmate numbers through alternatives to incarceration.