Two Inmates Escape Overcrowded Dijon Prison Using Sawed Bars and Bedsheets

Dramatic Escape from Dijon Correctional Facility

Two inmates dramatically escaped from the Dijon prison in eastern France shortly before dawn on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The prisoners reportedly sawed through the bars of their cell and then used bedsheets to flee the facility, according to Dijon prosecutor Olivier Caracotch. Guards discovered the breakout during their morning rounds. Approximately 100 police officers have been deployed in a comprehensive manhunt to recapture the fugitives.

Details of the Breakout and Fugitives' Profiles

The escape method involved 'old-fashioned, manual saw blades' to cut through the cell bars, as confirmed by prison union official Ahmed Saih. Several reports suggest these blades may have been delivered to the inmates via drone, a concern previously raised by prison staff. After breaching their cell, the prisoners fashioned ropes from bedsheets to descend from the prison.

The two escapees have been identified as a 19-year-old man, who was in pre-trial detention since October 2024 for attempted murder in a drug-related case, and a 32-year-old man, incarcerated since 2023 for threats and violence against a partner. The older fugitive reportedly left a message in his cell stating he had been held 'too long.'

Overcrowding and Persistent Security Warnings

This incident has brought renewed attention to the critical issue of overcrowding and deteriorating security within French prisons. The Dijon prison, originally constructed in 1853, is severely over capacity, housing 311 inmates in a space designed for just 180, an occupancy rate of nearly 173%. France ranks as the third worst in Europe for prison overcrowding, with a national average of 135 inmates per 100 available places.

Prison staff unions, including Force Ouvrière Justice, have repeatedly warned authorities about the 'alarming deterioration' of security conditions at the Dijon facility for months. These warnings included previous discoveries of saw blades within the prison and concerns about frequent drone overflights, which are suspected of delivering contraband.

Broader Context of Recent Escapes and Official Response

The Dijon escape is the second such incident in French correctional facilities within a short period. Just ten days prior, a 37-year-old convict escaped from a prison in Rennes during an authorized outing to a planetarium. Following the Rennes escape, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin dismissed the prison's director.

Prison directors' unions have criticized Minister Darmanin, accusing him of prioritizing resources for new 'supermax' prisons intended for dangerous drug traffickers and neglecting the 'vast majority' of other, older facilities. Darmanin recently announced a RM30 million investment for the Dijon facility as part of a program aimed at eliminating mobile phones from six French prisons.