Overview
- The Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture reported being extremely worried about incarceration conditions in France, citing systemic overcrowding and degrading treatment risks.
- France held 86,229 people for 63,613 places as of December 1, 2025, equating to a national occupancy rate of 136.5%.
- Inspectors visited Fleury-Mérogis, Fresnes, the Baumettes and Villefranche-sur-Saône prisons, as well as the Valentine-Marseille facility for minors.
- The report details filthy, dilapidated cells and vermin at Fresnes, widespread inmate-on-inmate violence, and credible allegations of police restraints with knee pressure on the thorax and neck that the CPT says pose an asphyxia risk.
- French authorities pledge stronger training and material improvements and plan about 3,000 modular prison places within roughly 18 months, but the CPT says expanding capacity is not a durable solution.