Dramatic Overcrowding and Poor Conditions at Baie-Mahault Prison in Guadeloupe Spark Urgent Calls for Reform

The General Controller of Places of Deprivation of Liberty (CGLPL) has issued a stark warning regarding the severe overcrowding and deteriorating conditions at the Baie-Mahault prison in Guadeloupe. According to recent reports, the facility is housing 435 inmates in a space designed for just 173, resulting in a staggering occupancy rate of 251%. This overcrowding means that over 160 detainees are forced to sleep on mattresses placed on the floor, sometimes squeezed between furniture such as tables and refrigerators, with many confined to less than 3 square meters of personal space. This level of confinement falls below the standards set by the European Court of Human Rights, signaling violations of fundamental detainee rights.

Sanitary conditions within the prison are also deeply concerning. The facility is described as dilapidated, with mold present and a lack of privacy in sanitation areas. The laundry system is inadequate, compelling inmates to wash their bedding in cold water at sinks. Compounding these issues, the prison has witnessed a high level of violence, with 154 incidents recorded between January and September 2025, including 10 involving weapons. Serious injuries have been reported, such as one inmate suffering a broken jaw and another found with a bloodied face during a visit.

Particularly troubling are the conditions for minors in detention, which the CGLPL judged to be wholly unsuitable. Young detainees face systematic strip searches and receive a mere four hours of education weekly, far below the mandated twelve. Their outdoor recreational area lacks shelter and water, reflecting significant neglect.

While construction is underway to add 300 new places at Baie-Mahault, the CGLPL criticized the absence of activity rooms in the development plan. Overcrowding remains a persistent challenge in Guadeloupe’s prison system, affecting other institutions like Basse-Terre, where a new facility was recently opened after prolonged construction.

The CGLPL’s urgent recommendations call for immediate action to alleviate overcrowding and improve detainee wellbeing, highlighting the critical human rights concerns at Baie-Mahault prison. The extreme conditions, violence, and neglect underline the pressing need for reform in the French territory’s penitentiary system.