The third suicide in Poggioreale prison in Naples since the beginning of the year has brought back to the fore the controversy over the failure to heed the warnings of the Autonomous Union of Penitentiary Police (SAPPE). The union had previously reported a critical situation in the most crowded prison in Europe.
Tiziana Guacci, regional secretary for Campania of SAPPE, expressed her shock and pain regarding the suicide, calling it a defeat for the State and for all those who work on the front lines of the prison system. Guacci emphasized that the prisoner seemed to be suffering from a difficult family situation, but the real reasons for the gesture remain unknown at the moment.
The regional secretary of SAPPE highlights that these three suicides are the result of numerous critical issues that have long been reported to regional and departmental leaders. The overcrowding of the Poggioreale prison, with a regulatory capacity of 1.571 places and over 2.020 current inmates, is one of the main concerns.
The closure of some pavilions for renovation work has caused disorder and organizational chaos, with inmates transferred to other facilities, worsening the situation in already critical prisons such as Avellino, Salerno and Ariano.
Guacci also denounces the inadequacy of the ancient structure of Poggioreale to support treatment and re-education programs, in addition to the lack of qualified personnel, particularly psychologists.
Donato Capece, general secretary of SAPPE, had previously reported the very serious shortage of doctors, especially psychiatrists and psychologists, inside the Poggioreale prison, the most crowded in Europe.
The union reiterated the urgency of addressing the serious shortage of medical personnel and the need to integrate psychologists and psychiatrists into prison facilities. The situation, as Capece points out, makes the work of the Penitentiary Police, already understaffed, difficult and puts a strain on the management of the Poggioreale prison.
Article published on 22 January 2024 - 14:42
A really sad and worrying situation, we hope that solutions can be found soon.