# Prison overcrowding: record number of inmates, mattresses and reactions **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-record-number-of-inmates-mattresses-and-reactions ## 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: record number of inmates, mattresses and reactions”, https://acturadar.com/en/stories/303-prison-overcrowding-record-number-of-inmates-mattresses-and-reactions Methodology: https://acturadar.com/en/methodology