Knife Fight at Villefranche-sur-Saône Prison Leaves Five Inmates Injured

A violent knife altercation broke out at the Villefranche-sur-Saône prison, north of Lyon, on October 22, 2025, resulting in five inmates being injured, two of them seriously. The confrontation took place shortly after 4:30 PM in the prison's recreation yard for reasons that remain unclear. Firefighters reported that two inmates, aged 19 and 29, sustained thoracic injuries and were hospitalized in "absolute emergency." These two were expected to return to their cells later in the evening. The other three inmates, whose ages have not been disclosed, suffered minor injuries and received treatment at a local hospital.

An administrative and judicial investigation has been launched to clarify the circumstances surrounding the brawl. Villefranche-sur-Saône prison, which has been operational since November 1990, accommodates both pre-trial detainees and those serving short sentences and has a capacity of 636 inmates.

This incident adds to concerns about safety and violence within French penal institutions, highlighting ongoing challenges in managing inmate conflicts and ensuring prison security.