Benevento, – A new episode of violence has shaken the “M. Gaglione” prison in Benevento, where a prison police officer was attacked in recent days by a non-EU prisoner of about 20 years of age.
The man, who was violently punched in the face, suffered injuries that required hospitalization.
The attack occurred during routine surveillance activities. According to initial reports, the inmate attacked the officer for no apparent reason, throwing a punch that hit him in the face. The staff present intervened promptly to quell the incident and restore order.
The regional secretary of CON.SI.PE. Campania, Tommaso De Lia, commented:
"The management of non-EU prisoners is increasingly critical. Many refuse to comply with prison rules and, in some cases, are manipulated by more experienced criminals to create disorder."
Along the same lines, the national vice-president of CON.SI.PE., Luigi Castaldo, added:
"The Italian penitentiary system is under pressure. Episodes of violence are increasing and more effective policies are needed to ensure the safety of officers and inmates."
Both expressed solidarity with the injured officer, wishing him a speedy recovery.
The attack reignites the debate on the conditions of Italian prisons, where the presence of non-EU prisoners – often with linguistic and cultural difficulties – complicates the management of the institutions. The unions are calling for urgent interventions, including:
More resources for cultural mediation
Specific training for agents
Tougher policies to prevent riots
Article published on May 14, 2025 - 14:29 pm
It is sad to see that there are so many episodes of violence in prisons. The situation seems to be getting worse and I do not know how to manage non-EU prisoners. Training of officers should be a priority to improve the situation.