French Prison Guards Protest Overcrowding

Prison agents in France have called for a general strike on Monday to protest severe prison overcrowding. Prison guards are blocking establishments across France in a 'dead prison' day to highlight the untenable situation. The union UFAP-UNESA describes the situation as out of control. The Ufap-Unsa union highlighted that the record for prison overpopulation has been broken. There is a reported shortage of 5,000 prison guards. Unions describe a total abandonment by the state for both inmates and staff. The conditions in cells, described as crowded with three inmates and infested with cockroaches, contribute to the stress. The La Santé prison in Paris has an occupancy rate of 220%, with over 170 inmates sleeping on mattresses on the floor in cells designed for three people. This overcrowding leads to increased tensions, accidents, health risks, and sick days for guards. Giuseppe Conte, the head of the Five Star Movement, is involved in reporting on this issue. Some facilities are experiencing up to 250% overcrowding. Four establishments in Charente-Maritime are blocked, with mobilizations occurring in cities like Amiens, Poitiers, Nancy, Epinal, Toulouse, and Valence.