THE MEDICO-PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT CENTERS FOR PRISONERS (CMPR) HAVE RECENTLY BECOME OFFICIAL INSTITUTIONS IN FRANCE, WITH THE PARIS CENTER PRESENTED AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE DIVERSITY IN THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THESE CENTERS. THE PARIS CENTER ORIGINATED AS A MODEST VENTURE IN 1961, WITH 12 BEDS, 1 DOCTOR, AND 5 ASSISTANTS WHO HAD UNDERGONE A TRAINING PERIOD IN A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL. IN 1964, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE OF THE SEINE, THE INSTITUTION EXPANDED TO 90 BEDS (ACCOMMODATING INMATES FROM ALL OVER FRANCE) AND ESTABLISHED A PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT STAFF INCLUDING PSYCHIATRISTS AND FULL-TIME PSYCHOLOGISTS. THE NEWLY DEVELOPED TREATMENT PROGRAM ENCOURAGES CLOSE CONTACT BETWEEN PROFESSIONALS AND PATIENTS. IN 1974, THE INCREASE IN PATIENTS MADE IT NECESSARY TO KEEP LONG-TERM INMATES CONFINED FOR 23 OUT OF 24 HOURS EACH DAY. TO REMEDY THE RESULTING ATMOSPHERE OF VIOLENCE, THE PROFESSIONAL TEAM LIMITED THE NUMBER OF INMATES TO 50, ALL OF THEM FROM THE PARIS AREA. IN 1977/78, THE STAFF WAS PLACED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND THE CENTER HAS RECENTLY BEEN OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED AS A CMPR. DESPITE THEIR SUCCESS, THE CMPRS SHOULD NOT HAVE MONOPOLY IN THE TREATMENT OF INMATES. ALSO, THE PARIS CENTER NEEDS A BROADER BASE INCLUDING GENERAL MEDICINE AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES. --IN FRENCH. (SAJ)