# Prison overcrowding in France: new record number of detainees > As of October 1, 2026, French prisons held 90,937 detainees, a new record with a 7.2% increase over one year. On November 3, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin acknowledged prison overcrowding that 'shames France'. The same day, the situation at Valenciennes prison was deemed 'untenable' by staff due to a still very high number of detainees. On November 4, around 9,000 detainees were sleeping on mattresses, a consequence of overcrowding that has become unmanageable. **In brief**: Ongoing story bringing together 4 events nationwide, followed from 2 November 2026 to 4 November 2026. 16 articles from 12 sources (justice, security); last updated on 4 November 2026 at 11:17. - Status: ongoing - Category: Justice, Security - Place: Nationwide - First detected: 2 November 2026 at 18:37 - Updated: 4 November 2026 at 11:17 - Web page: https://acturadar.com/en/stories/303-prison-overcrowding-in-france-new-record-number-of-detainees ## Timeline (4 events) ### 2 November 2026 — [Prisons: 90,937 inmates on October 1, new record](https://acturadar.com/en/events/7359-prisons-90-937-inmates-on-october-1-new-record.md) French prisons counted 90,937 inmates on October 1, a new record, with a 7.2% increase over one year in a context of chronic prison overcrowding. 11 sources, 13 articles · Nationwide ### 3 November 2026 — [Darmanin acknowledges prison overcrowding that "brings shame on France"](https://acturadar.com/en/events/7899-darmanin-acknowledges-prison-overcrowding-that-brings-shame-on-france.md) Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, a guest on BFM-RMC on November 3, acknowledges that prison overcrowding has reached unacceptable levels in some facilities. 1 sources, 1 articles · Nationwide ### 3 November 2026 — [Persistent overcrowding at Valenciennes prison](https://acturadar.com/en/events/8385-persistent-overcrowding-at-valenciennes-prison.md) The number of inmates at Valenciennes prison remains very high, making the situation "untenable" according to staff. 1 sources, 1 articles · Valenciennes — Nord ### 4 November 2026 — [Surpopulation carcérale : 9 000 détenus dorment sur des matelas](https://acturadar.com/en/events/9094-surpopulation-carcerale-9-000-detenus-dorment-sur-des-matelas.md) Selon des informations, environ 9 000 détenus dorment sur des matelas dans les prisons françaises, conséquence d'une surpopulation devenue ingérable. 1 sources, 1 articles · Nationwide --- Cite as: Acturadar, “Prison overcrowding in France: new record number of detainees”, https://acturadar.com/en/stories/303-prison-overcrowding-in-france-new-record-number-of-detainees Methodology: https://acturadar.com/en/methodology