Inmate education and training in prison
Verified 01 January 2024 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
Inmate of age
Any detainee may receive training for reintegration.
This training can be basic (learning to read, write, calculate), secondary or higher level. It is possible to obtain a diploma in prison (college certificate, baccalaureate, BTS,...).
The prisoner has the right to basic, secondary and higher education.
Basic education
A detainee who cannot read, write or calculate fluently should be provided with appropriate education.
Special courses can be organized for people who do not speak or write French and who request them.
Secondary and higher education
A detained person must be able to access secondary (secondary school, high school) or higher education.
In particular, she may take correspondence courses organized by associations.
Registration for these courses requires the authorization of the prison director.
The detainee must apply for studies with the Prison Service for Insertion and Probation, through his Prison Service for Insertion and Probation.
The detained person may also attend courses outside the prison, in particular for specific vocational training. In this case, a measure of release or day parole (the inmate is out during the day, but returns to prison in the evening) can be considered.
The measure is granted by the Judge for the Application of Sentences (JAP). The competent JAP is that of the judicial court of the place of the prison.
Who shall I contact
Passage of examinations
A detained person can pass the tests of a diploma in prison: college certificate, baccalaureate, higher technician certificate (BTS),...
If it is not possible to take the tests in the prison, the detained candidate may be granted leave to leave if his/her criminal situation so permits.
The measure is granted by the Judge for the Application of Sentences (JAP). The competent JAP is that of the judicial court of the place of the prison.
Who shall I contact
The diplomas do not show the state of detention of the holder. The diploma is of the same value as if the candidate were at large.
Detainees can benefit from vocational training organized by the regional councils.
They have to apply and they have to be selected.
Training plans are jointly developed by the institution's management and the regional council on which the institution depends. Such training may be remunerated.
The detainee must apply for training from the Penitentiary Service for Insertion and Probation, through its Penitentiary Insertion and Probation Counselor.
Since 1er in january 2020, apprenticeship training is being piloted in prisons.
It is reserved for prisoners up to the age of 29, whose penitentiary is involved in the experiment.
Inmates can take advantage of this mechanism to learn a trade on an alternating basis and obtain a certification.
The participation of a detained person in the training action shall give rise to the signing of a prison apprenticeship contract.
This document specifies the following information:
- Professional qualification or qualification for a professional purpose prepared
- Period covered by the prison apprenticeship contract
- Conditions under which the alternation takes place
- Identity of the on-the-job training tutor.
The apprenticeship takes place in an apprenticeship training center (AFC). This center can be located inside or outside the prison.
During the duration of the prison apprenticeship contract, the prisoner shall receive remuneration which may not be less than the following amounts:
- €5.24 for production activities
- €3.84 for general service, Class I
- €2.91 for general service, Class II
- €2.33 for general service, Class III
Juvenile detainee
Any person detained shall have the right to access training with a view to his or her reintegration. This training can be basic (reading, writing, numeracy), secondary or higher level and can make it possible to obtain a diploma (certificate, baccalaureate, etc.). In addition, the school obligation remains in force during detention and detainees must have a minimum amount of time in prison.
Education or training is the most important part of the use of minor time in prison and is therefore the priority axis of care for the detained minor.
The minor must therefore have at least 12 hours of school time per week.
Upon arrival in prison, the juvenile detainee is given an individual interview. On this occasion, his background and training needs are determined and a personalized training offer is offered to him.
He can also benefit from the advice of a counseling counselor-psychologist to clarify his plan to continue his studies or training.
The juvenile inmate continues his schooling inside the prison in a class for groups of 4 to 7 minors and headed by a teacher from the National Education.
He can also take courses outside. In this case, a measure of release or day parole (the detained minor is out during the day, but returns to prison in the evening) can be considered.
The measure is granted by the children's judge. The competent juvenile judge is the judge of the court of the place of the prison.
Who shall I contact
Parents are kept informed of the schooling of their detained minor child. The school timetable and the booklet certifying the course of study are transmitted to them.
They are offered meetings to discuss training and orientation issues.
The minor inmate can pass a diploma: general training certificate, college certificate...
If the tests cannot be carried out in the institution, and if his criminal situation allows it, the minor may be granted leave to leave.
The measure is granted by the children's judge. The competent juvenile judge is the judge of the court of the place of the prison.
Who shall I contact
The diploma does not show the state of detention of its holder. It has the same value as if the candidate were at large.
Since 1er in january 2020, apprenticeship training is being piloted in prisons.
The learning is open to all juvenile prisoners whose penitentiary is involved in the experiment.
The apprenticeship training action gives rise to the signing of a prison apprenticeship employment contract.
This document specifies the following information:
- Professional qualification or qualification for a professional purpose prepared
- Period covered by the prison apprenticeship contract
- Conditions under which the alternation takes place
- Identity of the on-the-job training tutor.
The apprenticeship takes place in an apprenticeship training center (AFC). This center can be located inside or outside the prison.
During the duration of the prison apprenticeship contract, the prisoner shall receive remuneration which may not be less than the following amounts:
- €5.24 for production activities
- €3.84 for general service, Class I
- €2.91 for general service, Class II
- €2.33 for general service, Class III
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
National Center for Distance Learning (Cned)
Information about training and registration packages for distance learning offerings
By telephone
+33 (0)5 49 49 94 94 (non-business hours voice server)
From Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 6 pm (from June to October: closed at 6:30 pm)
By E-mail
Access to contact form
By mail
Cned
BP 60200
86980 Futuroscope Chasseneuil Cedex
By fax
05 49 49 96 96
Vocational training
Model agreement between the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Justice