An inmate who wished to be transferred to a different prison sent his finger to France’s Justice Minister Christiane Taubira, local media have reported on Thursday.

The finger, which was found in a parcel addressed to Taubira, was delivered to the Justice Ministry building Place Vendôme in Paris.

"It was sent by an prisoner who wants to be transferred to a different prison," a source told French media.

The inmate in question is currently being detained at the Fleury-Mérogis prison in the southern suburbs of Paris and wants to be transferred to Dijon, a city in eastern France.

"Many prisoners are asking for transfers in order to get closer to their family, and when it is possible, their request is granted," said Justice Minister Chritiane Taubira.

According to reports, in this particular case the prisoner’s request had been accepted on July 26 but the prison admistration was waiting for a space to become available.