OPINIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FRENCH CGLPL 29% between May  2011 and May  2012). However, this data should not give rise to excessive enthusiasm: it is principally based upon an increase in the use of electronic tagging (2'500 tagging device “straps” at 1st January 2008; 9'500 at 1st May 2012), of which trials in countries using them henceforth indicate that they are not bearable for periods of longer than a few months. In other words, electronic tagging is a means of regulating prisoner numbers, the effects of which will remain quantitatively limited. On the other hand, efforts need to be made in the field of day-release (neglected due to growth in the number of tagging “straps”) and partial release (for various different reasons, certain open prisons remain underused and national regulations – with regard to opening times for example – should be applied to them).76 Deferment of sentences on medical grounds, defined under the law of 4th March 2002,77 is not sufficiently used: the conditions thereof have subsequently hardened and need to be re-examined, at least insofar as the appointed experts need to be better informed of the realities of prison (use of doctors practicing in UCSA prison medical consultation and outpatient treatment units). Seriously handicapped persons are encountered in prison, whose conditions of existence are shameful. Finally, reflection needs to be conducted with regard to the old-fashioned mode of judicial supervision, which needs to be overhauled, as well as concerning community service, which due to the lack of a sufficient number of offers, is hardly increasing. 10/ Finally, in the short term, the implementation of short sentences that have remained unenforced for periods of one or two years, due to lack of provision of the necessary means to court registries, results in damage to the social rehabilitation of those convicted prisoners who, after the trial, have recommenced a professional life and social relations. Although no exceptions should be made to the application of sentences, as pointed out above, the latter still need to be implemented within reasonable deadlines. A decision needs to be taken in order to ensure that this principle will henceforth be strictly applied, alongside provision of the necessary means to registries. The Contrôleur général des lieux de privation de liberté reserves the right to come back on this issue. 77 French law n°2002-303 of 4th March 2002 on the rights of ill persons and the quality of the health system: http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte =JORFTEXT000000227015 (in French). 76 128