The opportunity of gaining an education or professional training for adults in prison is highly recommended but is not mandatory.
There should be the opportunity for gaining at least a primary education for school-aged persons, or those a little older who do not have the basic educational skills, serving a prison sentence.
Read more about the type of education you are interested in:
If you have not received or commenced a general education, you should be able to continue or finish it in prison. According to the Penitentiary Code, if you are at the age when people usually gain a general education in schools or if you are older but you do not know French or other basic skills (reading, writing, basic mathematics), the prison administration is obliged to ensure that you can gain a primary education.
If you are a minor, the French State is obliged to provide education to you and other young prisoners until the age of 18, with at least 12 hours of classes per week (or 20 hours depending on the type of prison).
If you are over 18 years old and you lack basic skills and education (i.e. you do not speak French, you cannot read or write, you do not have any mathematic skills), the prison administration must offer you specific support as soon as you arrive in prison. An individual assessment of your skills should be carried out, so that you can have a personalised general training programme.
The opportunity of gaining other kinds of education (such as secondary or professional) depends on the particular prison regime and the availability of those programs.
What human rights violations may there be?
If you are not given the chance to complete elementary education which is compulsory in France, as a minor or youth, it may lead to a violation against the right to education.
How to complain
If you believe that you have been unlawfully barred from gaining an education in prison, you should complain to the prison administration. Read more about how to complain.
According to French law, adult prisoners are allowed to study any training course they wish to, if it is compatible with the security requirements and maintenance of order. You are allowed to have the necessary equipment, school supplies and teaching materials in your cell. You are also allowed to follow distance-learning courses provided by the Ministry of Education. If you wish to follow distance-courses provided by other distance-learning organisations, you can do so if the head of prison allows you, but you will have to pay for the costs of such education. Also, you should keep in mind that you usually do not have access to internet in the prison so this can make it difficult for you to access distance-learning courses.
The State does not have an obligation to ensure educational programs for adults. However, it is highly recommended that the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and education is available in prisons for adults as well. The extent to which the prison must provide these opportunities depends on its resources. Therefore, you can apply for the opportunity to undergo professional training or to take a specific course when they are available, but it is not mandatory for the prison administration to provide them.
According to French law, you are allowed to take any written and oral examinations that are included in your education. If the exam cannot be held in the prison, the prison administration can escort you outside of the prison or grant you a leave of absence so that you can take your exam outside of the prison. The certificate which you receive for primary or secondary education, professional training or other courses, should not mention that you obtained them in prison.