Question 17996 — places of deprivation of liberty

Summary

Mr. Damien Girard draws the attention of Mr. Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice, to the situation in the Lorient-Ploemeur penitentiary center and to the consequences of prison overcrowding and lack of staff on detention conditions, staff working conditions and preparation for reintegration. The establishment has a theoretical capacity of 227 places, while its criticality threshold is set at 400 detained people. During his visit, on August 26, 2026, the penitentiary center accommodated 408 people, after reaching a peak of 416 people in July 2026. Currently, 27 people sleep on a mattress placed on the floor, after having been up to 60 in July. The establishment's kitchen is also designed for a maximum of 400 meals. The visit report of the Lorient Bar Association of July 22, 2025 already alerted to this situation. It noted that the criticality threshold had been reached or was about to be reached and highlighted the consequences of overcrowding on the operation of the establishment, particularly in terms of security and access to care, showers, visiting rooms, activities, training and food. This situation is made worse by the lack of staff. The report mentions 111 personnel in uniform, excluding ranks, or around 90% of the theoretical workforce, with six vacant positions, without even counting absences. He emphasizes that this deficit limits the exercise of several rights of detained persons, in particular access to family life units (UVF), care and activities and also affects security conditions. The Lorient prison integration and probation service (SPIP) is also faced with a lack of staff, while it plays an essential role in preparation for release, reintegration and prevention of recidivism. The lack of prison staff would explain in particular the current impossibility of opening the UVF. Since the 2009 prison law, access to these devices has been provided for detained persons. In Ploemeur, the premises have been built and are ready to operate. The people detained are thus deprived of an essential system for maintaining links with their loved ones, particularly with their children. However, maintaining these links constitutes an important lever for reintegration and prevention of recidivism. It therefore appears particularly regrettable that premises already built and immediately available cannot be used due to lack of human resources. A capacity expansion is also planned at the center Lorient-Ploemeur penitentiary, with the installation of prefabricated structures allowing the creation of 50 additional places. Although this extension will partially respond to current difficulties, it cannot constitute, on its own, a lasting response to prison overcrowding. The bar report also highlights the difficulties likely to be caused by this new organization, particularly in terms of security and coordination with the existing establishment. In this context, the MP asks the Minister of Justice what measures the Government intends to take to quickly reduce prison overcrowding at the Lorient-Ploemeur penitentiary center and to fill vacant positions and reinforce the staff necessary for its proper functioning. In particular, he wishes to know the means and timetable planned to enable the effective opening of family life units. He also asks what measures are being considered to strengthen the workforce at the Lorient SPIP, which is essential for supporting detained people, preparing for their release and preventing recidivism.

Machine translation from French. The official text remains authoritative.

Timeline

1. 8 September 2026

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• Damien Girard · auteur

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