BARI – Moments of tension in the juvenile prison “Fornelli” of Bari, where yesterday evening a violent riot broke out by some young prisoners: three police officers prison police were injured while trying to quell the disturbances, triggered by the theft of the keys to the cells of the third detention group.
According to reports, the police officers were attacked with kicks and punches by the inmates, who then destroyed the furniture and equipment of the facility. One of the officers was rushed to the Bari Polyclinic with a chest trauma and a wound to the face, another was hospitalized “Of Venus” for a Traumatic Brain Injury, while the third is still under observation with the risk of a possible transfer to the hospital. None of the three is reportedly in danger of life.
After the escalation of violence, the juvenile detention center was surrounded by numerous patrols of police and carabinieri, while all the personnel on duty have been urgently recalled. The situation, according to the prison police union, remains particularly delicate, with some inmates still barricaded inside the section.
Commenting on the incident was Federico Pilagatti, national secretary of Autonomous Union of Penitentiary Police (JUICES), who expressed strong concern about the incident: "It is time to review the punishments for those who commit serious crimes and take advantage of their minority to get away with it. This does not happen in more civilized countries than ours, such as the United States and England”, he has declared.
The situation in the juvenile prison in Bari is truly worrying and makes us reflect on how to manage these young people. Violence is never the solution, and better measures are needed to prevent it. We hope that a solution can be found.