Launched in 2017 by Emmanuel Macron, the plan called for the construction of 15,000 new prison places to limit prison overcrowding, which has been chronic in France for years.
The goal of building 15,000 additional prison places by 2027 will not be achieved, Justice Minister Didier Migaud announced on Sunday. “There are projects that are completely blocked”conceded the Minister of Justice, guest of France Inter, France Télévision and the Monde. Launched in 2017 by Emmanuel Macronthe plan called for the construction of 15,000 new prison places to limit prison overcrowding, in France for many years. But this plan is seriously behind schedule, with only 4,500 new places delivered, according to the Chancellery.
This delay is due not so much to a lack of funds, as to “land difficulties”. and to “opposition from elected representatives”.to the construction of closed educational centers or semi-liberty centers on their territory, according to the Minister of Justice. “I’ll be making proposals to the Prime Minister so that we can make up some of this lost ground, but we won’t catch up by 2027.” declared Didier Migaud, announcing the implementation of a “opération vérité on the 15,000 plan.
The Minister also stated that he would be making proposals to Parliament for the use of “exceptional procedures”. to overcome local opposition, “when it comes to establishments of national interest”.. On October 1, 2024, the number of inmates in France reached a new record of 79,631, compared with 78,969 the previous month, with a prison density of 127.9%. According to a study published in June by the Council of Europe, France is one of Europe’s worst performers in terms of prison overcrowding, ranking third behind Cyprus and Romania.