Cannibalism in Poggioreale: Inmate Eats Cellmate's Finger

Naples. An episode of cannibalism occurred Wednesday inside the Poggioreale prison, where an inmate suffering from psychiatric disorders attacked a fellow inmate, causing serious injuries.

The inmate, diagnosed with a mental disorder at the Torre del Greco hospital from which he had been discharged, attacked another inmate, who also suffered from mental health issues, by first throwing detergent in his eyes and then literally biting off and eating part of his finger.

This unspeakably violent episode casts a merciless light on the critical issues facing the Campania prison system, particularly regarding assistance to inmates with mental health issues.

The Campania guarantor of prisoners, Samuele Ciambriello, pointed the finger at the structural and organizational shortcomings of the institute, underlining how the presence of over two hundred detainees with mental disorders, eighty of which are psychotic, require urgent and structural intervention.

The shortcomings of the system:

Lack of a dedicated structureThe lack of a department or wing specifically dedicated to the reception and treatment of prisoners with mental disorders represents a serious gap, which prevents the provision of adequate and personalized assistance to these individuals.

Insufficient staffThe small number of psychiatrists, psychologists, and other health workers within the prison makes it difficult to ensure comprehensive and continuous care for inmates with specific needs.

Overcrowding: The chronic overcrowding of Campania prisons, and in particular of Poggioreale, worsens the conditions of detention and makes it more difficult to manage emergency situations such as the one that occurred.

The Guarantor's proposals:

To deal with this emergency, the Guarantor Ciambriello has urged the competent institutions to:

Create a dedicated structureIt is necessary to create a department or wing within the Poggioreale prison, specifically equipped to accommodate inmates with mental disorders, guaranteeing them adequate space, therapeutic treatments and rehabilitation activities.

Increase specialized personnelIt is essential to increase the number of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers within the prison to ensure comprehensive and continuous care for inmates with specific needs.

Implement the regional decreeIt is necessary to fully implement the decree of the Campania Regional Council, Health Area No. 6 of January 25, 01, which provides for the establishment of specific mental health services within prisons.