New Caledonia's two members of the French National Assembly have decried the conditions at the territory's jail, saying the situation is explosive and the conditions are unworthy.
Philippe Gomes and Sonia Lagarde spoke after raising their concerns with the French justice minister, Christiane Taubira, who will reportedly look at the matter.
Mr Gomes says it is probably the worst French-run prison anywhere as the Camp-Est jail routinely houses more than twice the number of inmates the premises were built for.
Last year, Paris announced plans to extend the jail by 2016 but the city of Noumea has refused to issue a building permit.
Mr Gomes says the city leadership wants to shift the jail so it can get access to its waterside land.