Coordinated Attacks on Several French Prisons: What We Know

Between Monday, April 14 and Tuesday, April 15, multiple French prisons were targeted in a series of unprecedented attacks involving arson, automatic gunfire, and deliberate acts of vandalism. These incidents followed an initial wave of attacks the night before. France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) has taken over the investigation.

A Two-Phase Assault

The first signs of unrest appeared Sunday night into Monday, when seven vehicles were set on fire in the parking lot of the National School of Prison Administration (ENAP) in Agen. That same night, incidents were also reported at prisons in Nanterre and Réau, near Paris, where vehicles belonging to prison staff were torched or doused in flammable liquids.

The following night, the attacks escalated and spread across the country, clearly showing signs of coordination. In Toulon-La Farlède, the entrance to the prison was riddled with automatic gunfire, with 15 bullet impacts recorded. In Luynes, Valence, Marseille, Nîmes, and Villepinte, vehicles were torched, vandalized, or spray-painted. In Valence, a hooded individual reportedly arrived on an electric scooter and set cars ablaze using an accelerant.

In Marseille, vehicles used by the Youth Judicial Protection Service were targeted. In several locations, the tag “DDPF” — which stands for Defense of French Prisoners — was found spray-painted on burned-out vehicles.

A Claim of Responsibility and Terrorism Inquiry

The attacks were claimed on social media by a group calling itself “DDPF,” reinforcing suspicions of a premeditated operation. The PNAT announced it had opened an investigation for “criminal conspiracy with terrorist intent” and “attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise.” The case has been entrusted to France’s anti-terrorism police, internal security services (DGSI), and regional police forces.

Sources close to the case suggest the attacks may be a direct response to recent government measures, including the creation of high-security prisons and the crackdown on organized drug trafficking networks.

Government Vows Firm Response

While visiting the Toulon prison, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin condemned the events as a “terrorist attack” and declared, “The Republic will not back down.” He linked the violence to current efforts to disrupt criminal operations within the prison system: “These threats won’t intimidate us.”

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau also spoke out against the attacks, labeling them “unacceptable acts” and ordering an immediate increase in security around prison facilities nationwide.

Prison Unions Sound the Alarm

Prison staff unions voiced deep concern. The FO Justice union condemned what it called a “direct attack on the institution” and demanded a “strong, immediate, and unambiguous response from the state.” The Ufap-Unsa union highlighted severe staff shortages, saying: “Officers are realizing they’re unsafe even outside prison walls.”