Since the mid 1950's, the French inmate population has shown a growing trend, which is only occasionally interrupted by government pardons and amnesties. From 1975 to 1981, the French inmate population grew by 50 percent, and from 1982 to 1988, by 63 percent. At the same time, the composition of inmates has changed: more older inmates, more women, and more foreigners, especially from Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. Numerous European countries have registered similar changes. Although the French rates of pretrial detention rank among the highest in Europe, they have stabilized within the last few years. The French incarceration rate (number of entering inmates per year) is lower than many European countries; however, those entering the prison remain for longer sentences. Thus, the number of inmates serving sentences of 5 years and more rose by 120 percent between 1981 and 1988. It, therefore, appears that the use of long-term sentences contributes significantly to the elevated numbers of French inmates. Numerous statistical charts and graphs, and 8 pages of references are appended.