Country

France

Detention issue

FRA research findings

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Legal instruments & key provisions

Legal instrument Key provision
French Prison Code Every detainee must be able to shower at least 3 times a week and, wherever possible, after sports or work
French Prison CodeToilets must be clean and decent. They must be suitably distributed and their number proportionate to the number of detainees.
French Prison CodeOn entering detention, following administrative formalities, detainees are offered a shower and a toilet bag is provided. The prison administration provides soap and toilet paper free of charge. It regularly renews the toiletries of detainees who do not have sufficient resources; other detainees obtain their necessities from the prison canteen.
French Prison CodeEvery detainee who is physically able to do so maintains their cell or the space reserved for them in a constant state of cleanliness, and makes their own bed. The prison administration provides the products needed to keep cells clean and tidy.

NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM RECOMMENDATIONS

Year Recommendation Report
2015The NPM recommends the provision of a free hygiene kit containing essential items for personal hygiene and the installation of showers within cells. Report details
2018Toilets are part of the fixtures of a cell, therefore, each cell contains a toilet. In this regard, the Controller general of detention facilities has stated that 'the most frequent breach of privacy mentioned by detainees relates to the use of the toilets in the cell. In the best of cases, the toilets are separated from rest of the cell only by a partition or a door with a height of approximately one metre, and which therefore does not go up to the ceiling. Therefore, when the cell is shared the detainee has to use the toilet in the immediate vicinity of fellow detainees and in the same single space which is also used for sleeping and eating. The justification for this breach of the privacy of detainees is related to security: the detainee must be able to be observed in all parts of the cell by guards through the peephole in the door. Report details
2020The NPM recommends that detainees shall have easy, permanent and independent access to a separate toilet and a drinking water point, both day and night. The use of substitutes (urinal, sanitary bucket) is not acceptable. Detained persons shall have access to a toilet at all times, in conditions that preserve their dignity and privacy. Basic hygiene products adapted to their age, gender and state of health must be offered to them. Persons deprived of their liberty may have access to a shower, particularly before a hearing or an interview. Report details
2022On arrival in a prison, all persons must be provided with a meal, basic hygiene products, a shower and, if they lack them, a suitable change of clothes. Report details
2022The privacy of detainees must be preserved in toilets and showers, the layout of which must allow for seclusion. They must have free access at all times. Those in charge of accommodation must provide them with hygiene products appropriate for their declared gender, so that they can take care of their personal hygiene. Report details