French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin has revived a controversial proposal to charge prisoners for their incarceration costs, citing a surge in attacks targeting correctional facilities and staff. The plan, which seeks to amend existing laws, would reintroduce fees abolished in 2003, drawing parallels to France’s healthcare co-payment system.

The initiative follows a violent campaign in April, where assailants armed with automatic weapons targeted at least ten prisons over five nights. Authorities attribute the attacks to drug traffickers retaliating against tightened prison controls, with 25 suspects already arrested in nationwide raids. A group calling itself the Defense of the Rights of French Prisoners (DDPF) has claimed responsibility via Telegram, posting threats against staff.

Darmanin defended the measure by noting France’s historical precedent for inmate contributions, while emphasizing the €4 billion annual burden on taxpayers. The proposal accompanies new protections for guards, including anonymity safeguards. However, critics highlight persistent ECHR rulings against France’s overcrowded prisons, where substandard conditions remain unresolved.

The move has sparked debate over penal reform priorities, with opponents arguing that financial penalties could exacerbate inmate grievances. As the government pushes tougher policies, tensions between security measures and human rights obligations continue to simmer.