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France

Capital city — Paris

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Panorama

Living conditions

Accommodation

The law establishes a minimum standard for living space per prisoner

yes

Prisoners are accommodated in single cells

in most establishments

The law ensures a right to individual cells since 1875, re-affirmed in 2000. This right is, however, not respected. Moratoriums follow one another seeking an impossible balance between the number of prisoners and the number of places.
There may be three people placed in a single cell, and four in a double cell. Judges, parliamentarians and prison administrators still tolerate the placement of several people in one cell.

Prisoners sleep on

a bed or a mattress on the floor

  • The use of mattresses on floors is not only the result of a high occupancy rate. Some facilities that reach 180 % do not use this practice.

    i
    02/2019
    / Rapport CGLPL

All the prisoners are provided with bedding

yes

The cells/dormitories are provided with electric lighting

yes

The cells/dormitories are equipped with heating and/or air conditioning

yes

Prisoners can smoke

in their cell/dormitory

The cells are usually equipped with one bed, a chair and a shelving unit or a wardrobe per person. A small shelf is shared by all. Those who share cells deplore not having cupboards they can lock. Everyone complains about the gratings that obstruct the windows. There are frequent ventilation and lighting problems in the cells of old facilities.

Hygiene

Prisoners have access to water

in their cells/dormitory

Cells have sinks and toilets (with toilets now mostly separated from the rest of the cell).

Showers are located in the cells/dormitories

in some establishments

Prisoners can use the showers, when not located in their own cell, at least three times a week.

Types of sanitary facilities

regular toilets

Sanitary facilities are clean, adequate and accessible

yes

The prison service provides personal hygiene products free of charge

• for new arrivals
• for poor prisoners

A kit of personal hygiene products (toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, etc.) is handed out upon arrival, but it doesn’t cover all the needs (such as feminine hygiene products) and is only renewable for destitute prisoners.

The prison service provides cleaning products free of charge

• for new arrivals
• for poor prisoners

Inmates are responsible for looking after their cells. The cleaning products provided by the administration do not always meet their needs. The administration only covers cleaning of the bedding. Personal laundry is done by inmates or by loved ones who can bring laundry when they visit.

The maintenance kit is handed out once a month at the Cherbourg jail consisting of: a cleaning sponge, 300 ml dish soap and 300 ml multi-surface cleaner. A garbage bag is handed out daily and garbage is picked up each day without sorting garbage.

Beddings are refreshed

yes

Hygiene conditions in the new facilities are usually acceptable. The older facilities do not meet the minimum standards despite their renovations. There is a lack of maintenance; there are pests, and the showers are deteriorated and dirty.

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  • Sanitary conditions in the facilities deteriorated in 2018 during the 15-day protest that affected 115 of the 188 prison facilities. It interfered with or prevented access to showers, the distribution of sanitary items, laundry services and garbage removal.

    i
    02/2019
    / Report CGLPL

Food

Drinking water is free and available in all areas of the facilities

yes

Number of meals per day

3

The administration provides three meals a day, at the usual times.

Daily cost of meals per prisoner

3.10 euros

Food services are managed by

the prison administration and private food services

The prison service is required to meet nutritional standards regarding quality and quantity

yes

The quality and quantity are often insufficient.

The prison service provides food that respects special dietary needs

yes

In theory, consideration is given to cultural and religious practices and special diets. But many think it is insufficient. The lack of Halal products in the menus that are offered is the reason for so many vegetarian menus.

Prisoners eat their meals in

in their cell/dormitory

Prisoners can buy food products

yes

Prisoners can have access to a refrigerator

yes

It is possible to rent a refrigerator.

Prisoners are allowed to cook in their cells or in a shared space

in most establishments

In older facilities, inmates can also cook in their cells with makeshift utensils; newer prisons have hotplates.

Prisoners are allowed to receive food parcels

no

Part of the prisoner's food is produced by the prison

no