On May 1, French prisons housed 71,038 prisoners, compared with 71,053 inmates on April 1. The overall prison population is now at 117%, compared to 107.5% last year.

On March 1, the number of people imprisoned had risen to more than 70,000, a threshold not reached in French prisons since two years ago during the health crisis.

In one year, 5,654 prisoners were added, which represents an 8.6% increase in prison population.

Prison density rises to 138.9% at remand centres where prisoners in custody awaiting trial are presumed innocent and those who have been sentenced to shorter sentences are imprisoned.

A total of 46 French prisons have a density higher than 150%. Four establishments have a density greater than 200% (225.4% Bordeaux-Gradignan; 214.3% Perpignan; 213.8% Foix, and 208% Nimes). Six were present in this instance a month earlier.

On May 1, 86,855 persons were taken into custody, including 15,817 nondetainees who are subject to placement under an electronic bracelet (15.064) or outside (753).