Overview

• In a formal opinion dated May 12 and published October 15, the CGLPL concludes that widespread dilapidation is a central cause of indecent conditions of detention.
• Inspectors cite collapsing walkways in Rouen, broken or missing windows in Grenoble‑Varces, falling saltpetre in Saint‑Pierre, faulty electrics in Nice, infestations, and a year‑old Fleury‑Mérogis unit closed over major leaks, humidity and mold.
• Chronic overcrowding, measured at about 135% on September 1 by the Justice Ministry, intensifies wear, worsens living conditions and complicates closing cells for repairs.
• The watchdog recommends in‑depth diagnostics for every establishment to determine necessary works and the future of the most degraded sites.
• Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin says diagnostics have been done for the worst sites, has launched tenders for 3,000 modular places to be built in 18 months, and acknowledges current budgets cannot finance all identified repairs.