French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has ordered an end to recreational activities in prisons that do not focus on education, language learning, or sports.

This decision follows public outrage over facial treatments offered to inmates at Toulouse-Seysses prison on Valentine’s Day.

Critics, including prison staff unions, called such activities inappropriate, especially for serious offenders.

Darmanin emphasized that these activities shocked citizens and announced strict guidelines for prison programs.

However, some argue that these activities aid rehabilitation and highlight overcrowding issues in French prisons.

The debate underscores tensions between public opinion, prison reform, and inmate rights.