There are approximately 190 prisons in France and they are run by the Directorate of Prison Administration of the Ministry of Justice.
Keeping in contact
Letters
To write to your family member you will need their prison number (numéro d’écrou) and the name and address of the prison. You can find the prison address at https://annuaire-prisons.fr/
Include your own name and address on the envelope too, as prisons may not accept mail or pass it on to your loved one without this.
If your loved one is on remand, the court may screen letters and require them to be translated. This can cause delays.
Some French prisons will accept parcels but the rules vary from prison to prison. Your loved one will need to get permission from the prison (or the investigating judge if he or she is still on remand) to receive a parcel.
It is not possible to correspond with your loved one in a French prison by email.
Phone calls
Your loved one can make calls from prison but must request permission from the prison director if sentenced or if on remand from the investigating judge. Your loved one should include a copy of your passport, your phone bill and proof of relationship with the request. It can take a little while for permission to be granted particularly if your loved one is on remand.
Some French prisons have phones in cells and others have phones in communal areas. Your loved one must have credit on their prison phone account in order to make calls.
Visiting your loved one
You must apply in writing for permission to visit your loved one. If they are on remand you must apply to the investigating judge. If the investigating judge has finished their investigation, you should apply to the Public Prosecutor in the court that is considering the case. If your loved one has been convicted, your application must go to the prison director.
You will need to send the following:
- Two passport size photographs of yourself
- Photocopy of passport
- Proof of residence (utility bill from the last three months)
- Proof of relationship (e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate)
- Self addressed envelope (for the visitor permit to be sent to you).
- Each person intending to visit must make a separate application.
When you receive the permit, you can then book a visit by phone. You can bring some items for your loved one when you visit. The items permitted varies from prison to prison but usually clothes and shoes are permitted and food items are not allowed.
Sending money
You can send money to your loved one in prison in France. Your loved one may have to request permission before any money can be sent.
You can make payments by bank transfer and it is important to include your loved one’s prisoner number (numero d’ecrou) as well as their name and your own name and passport number. You will also need the account BIC and IBAN to make the payment
It is not permitted to send cash by post to a prisoner in France.
Concerned for your family member’s wellbeing
If you are concerned about your family member, you can contact the prison directly by phone or fax. Details for French prisons can be found at https://annuaire-prisons.fr/ You can also contact the Irish Embassy in Paris at 0033 (0) 144176700.
Further information
You can find more information about prison conditions in France by visiting https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/france-prisoner-pack/information-pack-for-british-nationals-arrested-or-detained-in-france Although these guides are directed at British citizens, the provide reliable information about prison conditions and the justice system which you may find helpful.
