What’s Really Happening Behind France’s Prison Walls?

French prisons are among the most overcrowded in Europe. The country’s prison system is on the brink of collapse, putting prison staff on the front line. We gained unprecedented access to three notorious French prisons to reveal the scale of the problem. In Fresnes, just south of Paris, inmates live among rats and cockroaches. These unsanitary conditions exacerbate tensions, making the work of prison officers extremely dangerous. Today, their job goes beyond simply maintaining order; they have to manage a flammable mix of individuals and hold together petty criminals, radicalised prisoners and the mentally ill, significantly increasing the risk of violence. Across France, attacks on prison guards are on the rise, with more than 4,000 cases reported each year. The number of prisoners suffering from mental disorders continues to rise, transforming prisons into substitute psychiatric institutions. Yet the resources available for treatment are woefully inadequate. At the Santé prison in the heart of Paris, another scourge is eating away at the prison system: trafficking of all kinds. From mobile phones, to drugs and meals delivered by drone, illegal trade is thriving behind bars. Accomplishes regularly break into a nearby nursery school just across the street, from where they throw packets into the exercise yard while the children are in class. The parents are terrified. In Villepinte, in the northeastern of Paris, the situation is critical. The prison has 543 places but currently houses 1,100 inmates. Guards have no choice but to continue taking in new arrivals. Every incarceration  becomes a logistical headache with guards resorting to re-using old, torn mattresses. In these conditions, maintaining order and guaranteeing a minimum level of security to both prisoners and staff is no mean feat... This documentary was produced by Patrick Spica Productions and directed by Delphine Cinier & Solène Oeino. It was first released in 2025. ------ We have the stories that global corporations don't want you to know. Our channel is home to award-winning investigations, current affairs and revealing documentaries that challenge unchecked global powers and give you the real, human stories behind the headlines. Want to understand more about our world? Want to delve beyond news headlines and understand global issues more deeply? Subscribe to DISPATCH for all this and more. Make sure to hit notifications to never miss a new release!