Italy ranks fifth in Europe in terms of prison occupancy rates. During the pandemic, this problem has led to mass unrest in prisons. According to the prisoners’ rights association Antigone, this year the rate in local prisons reached a dangerous level of 119 percent. At the end of June, they were housing about 61,000 prisoners, 10,000 more than the official capacity.
“Antigone” also draws attention to the fact that prisoners, who can only dream of the necessary 3 square metres, are often kept in overcrowded and poorly ventilated cells in old buildings, making it particularly difficult for inmates in the hot months. The obvious shortage of staff (penitentiary institutions have 16 percent fewer staff than necessary) only exacerbates an already difficult situation.
A slow judicial system has an equally damaging effect. In 2024, 65 prisoners committed suicide, 39 percent of whom were awaiting trial.
According to Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, the new law will lead to the “humanisation of prisons” by recruiting more prison staff. The document also provides for the creation of a special register of communities that will be given the opportunity to house certain categories of “safe” prisoners in their facilities.
