France - Seine-Saint-Denis (93), Maison d'Arrêt de Villepinte
La Maison d'Arrêt de Villepinte, située en Seine-Saint-Denis, a ouvert ses portes en 1991. Conçue initialement pour accueillir 587 détenus dans 482 cellules, elle fait face à une surpopulation carcérale persistante. En 2017, le taux d'occupation atteignait 201%, et au 1ᵉʳ janvier 2025, 1 015 personnes y étaient hébergées pour une capacité opérationnelle de 542 places, soit une densité carcérale de 187,3%
France – Seine-Saint-Denis (93), Villepinte Remand Prison
The Villepinte Remand Prison, located in Seine-Saint-Denis, opened its doors in 1991. Initially designed to accommodate 587 inmates in 482 cells, it has faced persistent overcrowding. In 2017, the occupancy rate reached 201%, and as of January 1, 2025, 1,015 people were housed there for an operational capacity of 542 places, resulting in a prison density of 187.3%.
This situation highlights one of the major issues of the French prison system: chronic overcrowding and its consequences on detention conditions. At Villepinte, as in many remand prisons, cells designed for one or two people often accommodate three or more. This overcrowding leads to deteriorating sanitary conditions, increased tensions between inmates and prison staff, and limited access to reintegration activities.
In response to this crisis, an expansion project for the facility was launched in 2021 to increase its capacity. However, these measures remain insufficient in addressing the structural problems of the penitentiary system.
