Moroccan Inmates Make Up Largest Foreign Group in French Prisons, New Data Shows

As of October 1, 2021, 17,198 foreigners out of a prison population of 69,173 individuals, or 25%, were behind bars. Ten years ago, this figure was 17.2%. In detail, 9,793 are from the African continent, or 56% of them, including 2,220 from Morocco, 3,472 from Algeria, 1,117 from Tunisia and 2,984 from the rest of African countries.

There are also 5,109 European inmates, including 2,983 from the European Union. In total, 880 inmates from Asia and 1,308 from America, mainly South America, occupy French prisons.

The figures published by the French prison administration do not take into account detainees with dual nationality.