Doctor's book shames French prisons

The publication last month of the diary of a prison doctor has shocked the French public and prompted parliament to vote unanimously to create a commission to investigate “in depth” the living conditions of prisoners and working conditions of prison staff.

Elisabeth Guigou, the minister of justice, has ordered another commission, headed by the president of France's highest court of appeals, to report on the external control of penitentiary administration. “The situation in many of our prisons is not worthy of a country such as ours,” said Mrs Guigou.

The book, Médecin-chef à la Prison …