French Prisons Face Mounting Crisis as Supervisors Protest Heat Wave Conditions
A growing crisis within the French penal system has come to a head, as dozens of penitentiary supervisors protested on July 2 at the Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone remand center over dangerous working conditions exacerbated by the recent heat wave. The action highlights a systemic problem of overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure plaguing prisons across the nation.
A recent report reveals that 100% of French prisons are vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat, raising serious concerns about the health and safety of both inmates and staff.
Supervisors Demand Action Amidst “Unhealthy” Conditions
According to a prison supervisor and workers’ force delegate, the situation at Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone is particularly dire. “It must be understood that even outside the hot weather, unhealthiness reigns supreme in Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone,” he stated. The facility is severely overcrowded, with “at least three prisoners per cell of 9m² and four or five detainees in the 12m² units.” The supervisor explained that staff are routinely forced to add mattresses to the floor simply to accommodate the number of inmates, with 180 additional mattresses currently in use.
The protest comes despite assurances from Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin on June 30 regarding the implementation of a “heat wave plan.” However, the supervisor dismissed the plan as “simply an advertisement,” noting that the only tangible measure taken at his establishment was the distribution of a single bottle of water per day to inmates.
Limited Relief and Ongoing Concerns
Following a meeting with officials at the prefecture on July 4, supervisors secured a commitment for 56 prisoner transfers to facilities outside the region. They are also seeking a halt to the acceptance of prisoners from other departments, which would further strain the already limited resources.
A July 2024 report by the association “Our business to all” detailed the environmental risks within French prisons, identifying several contributing factors to the heat wave vulnerability. These include:
- Problems with insulation due to building dilapidation.
- Windows positioned too high or difficult to open.
- Restricted access to water and electricity.
- Unsuitable outdoor exercise areas.
The report specifically flagged the Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, Nîmes, and Béziers facilities as being at “important” risk due to their “chronic” overpopulation.
A Decade-Long Fight for Basic Amenities
Despite the widespread challenges, some improvements have been made. In a rare positive development, the supervisor noted that cells at Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone are equipped with showers, a feature secured after a ten-year campaign by the union. “Our union fought for ten years before obtaining them in 2016,” he recalled.
However, this small victory does little to address the fundamental issues of overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure that continue to threaten the well-being of those within the French prison system. The recent protests serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive reform and investment in the nation’s correctional facilities.
