Jail

Culture news

Director Jafar Panahi sentenced to prison by Iran Revolutionary Court

Iran has sentenced acclaimed filmmaker and Cannes Palme d’Or winner Jafar Panahi to one year in prison and imposed a travel ban for allegedly engaging in “propaganda activities” against the state. The verdict, delivered in absentia, was confirmed by his lawyer Mostafa Nili.

02/12/2025

France

Two inmates escape French prison using drone-delivered saw blades

Two inmates escaped from Dijon prison after receiving blades via drone, according to authorities. One is under investigation for attempted murder, and both are considered dangerous.

27/11/2025

France

France's top court upholds Sarkozy's conviction in Bygmalion case

This decision is another blow to the former president's reputation and legacy, just two weeks after his release from prison pending an appeal in another campaign financing case.

26/11/2025

Culture news

Nicolas Sarkozy to publish prison memoir on his 20 days behind bars

That was a fast turnaround... Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is set to publish a book next month called “A Prisoner’s Diary”, detailing his 20 days in jail. He was released from La Santé prison on 10 November.

24/11/2025

World News

Darminin's prison visit to Sarkozy sparks legal complaint by lawyers

France's justice minister visited former President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Santé prison in Paris on Wednesday evening, sparking a legal complaint.

31/10/2025

France

France's Sarkozy to have permanent police protection in prison

French interior minister says the ex-president will have two police officers stationed in neighbouring cells around the clock for his security.

22/10/2025

No Comment

Nicolas Sarkozy begins prison sentence over fraud case

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy left his Paris home on Tuesday morning to begin serving his prison sentence at La Santé, nearly a month after being convicted of fraud linked to alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 election campaign.

21/10/2025

Culture news

Which highly symbolic books has Nicolas Sarkozy taken to prison?

The former French president begins a five-year prison sentence today and is allowed to bring three books with him. What will he be reading behind bars, and how are his choices highly symbolic?

21/10/2025

Europe News

French police arrest four in alleged plot targeting Russian activist

Vladimir Osechkin founded Gulagu.net, a rights group for prisoners in the notoriously tough Russian prison system.

17/10/2025

Portugal

Main suspect in Madeleine McCann's disappearance released in Germany

Christian Brückner, der Hauptverdächtige im Fall des Verschwindens von Madeleine McCann im Jahr 2007, wurde nach Verbüßung einer Strafe in einem anderen Fall aus einem deutschen Gefängnis entlassen. Er steht weiterhin unter Ermittlungen im Fall McCann, wurde jedoch nie offiziell angeklagt.

17/09/2025

Culture news

Five members of Pussy Riot sentenced to jail in Russia

Five members of the feminist punk group Pussy Riot have been sentenced in absentia to prison in Russia. One member, Diana Burkot, said: “Ukraine must win, and Putin must face trial in The Hague.”

16/09/2025

Cuba

Report: Prisoners in Cuba forced into labour for exports to Europe

Tens of thousands of prisoners are subjected to systemic forced labour, producing goods such as coal and cigars for export markets in conditions close to slavery, according to a new report published on Monday by the NGO Prisoners Defenders.

15/09/2025

Europe News

Violence on the rise in Belgium's prisons due to overpopulation

The repurposed Forest prison in Brussels has opened its doors to the public to highlight the difficulties facing the prison system in Belgium, as overcrowding threatens inmates’ safety and hinders their reintegration.

11/09/2025

Europe News

France to release Lebanese militant Abdallah after 40 years in prison

Incarcerated for almost 40 years for complicity in the assassination of US and Israeli diplomats, the man who considers himself a political prisoner will be able to return to Lebanon.

17/07/2025

World News

We don't know where they are, say families of French prisoners in Iran

The families of French prisoners held in Iran are anxiously awaiting news of their whereabouts following the ceasefire between Iran and Israel on 24 June.

27/06/2025

Europe News

Preparing for life on the outside as Rome prison hosts 'Games of Hope'

Rome's Rebibbia prison hosted the first edition of the "Games of Hope" which saw inmates play alongside magistrates and regular citizens in an event organisers hope provides the possibility of redemption within one of the harshest prisons in Italy.

16/06/2025

Europe News

French prison staff doubt renting cells abroad will solve overcrowding

With prisons overflowing, France is considering renting cells abroad. But will this solve the problem or just shift it to other countries?

22/05/2025

No Comment

Tourists roam Alcatraz ruins as Trump floats prison comeback

US President Donald Trump has said he would like to see Alcatraz Island return to its former role as a high-security prison, more than 60 years after it closed.

07/05/2025

USA

Trump says he wants to reopen and expand infamous Alcatraz prison

The notorious jail on a hard-to-reach island off San Francisco has been closed for more than 60 years.

05/05/2025

Europe News

Several prisons in France attacked with guns fired and vehicles burned

Vehicles were set on fire in several prison car parks and a prison in the southern city of Toulon was fired at with an automatic weapon.

15/04/2025