Avellino – Another tragedy unfolds within the walls of a prison, another episode that speaks a language of violence, loneliness, and collapsing systems.
A 60-year-old inmate from the province of Naples, with serious psychiatric problems, died yesterday in the intensive care unit of the "Moscati" hospital in Avellino, where he had been hospitalized in desperate conditions since September 29.
According to initial investigations by the Carabinieri, the cause of his hospitalization was a violent beating suffered inside the REMS (Residence for the Execution of Security Measures) in San Nicola Baronia, at the hands of another, younger resident of the facility.
Despite the timely intervention of two REMS nurses, who performed cardiac massage and used a defibrillator before transferring him to the hospital, the man's condition was immediately judged to be extremely serious and left no chance of survival.
The Benevento Public Prosecutor's Office, which has jurisdiction over the area, has opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the incident and any potential responsibilities.
Investigation by the Benevento Prosecutor's Office
This latest bloodbath, however, cannot be viewed as a tragic isolated incident. It represents the tip of the iceberg of a profound and structural crisis gripping the penitentiary system and, in particular, the system of security measures for persons with mental disabilities.
REMS: An Imperfect Solution.
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However, these facilities often suffer from overcrowding, a shortage of specialized personnel (psychiatrists, psychologists, educators), and inadequate funding. The forced coexistence of people with serious disorders in cramped spaces and without adequate support creates a highly vulnerable environment for tension and violence.
Overcrowding and Violence. Overcrowding, a chronic problem in Italian prisons that also affects many REMS, multiplies conflict. It reduces living space, limits access to rehabilitation activities, and exponentially increases stress and aggression among inmates and residents. In such a context, even a trivial argument can escalate into tragedy.
Lack of Health Care. The news reports the presence of two nurses, whose intervention was crucial. However, the question that arises is: was adequate and continuous medical or psychiatric care available in the facility? Managing mental health in prisons and in REMS is one of the most daunting challenges. The shortage of dedicated healthcare personnel and the bureaucratic delays in transferring patients to specialized hospitals can leave the most urgent needs of extremely fragile patients unaddressed.
Deaths in Prison: A War Bulletin.
The death of the 60-year-old in Avellino prison adds to a sad list of deaths in detention. In the first months of 2023 alone, according to reports from organizations like Antigone, dozens of deaths have occurred, from suicide, inadequately treated illnesses, or, as in this case, assaults. Each death represents a failure of the State in its custodial duty, which includes the obligation to protect the safety and health of those deprived of their liberty.
Conclusion
The man's death in the Avellino REMS is a tragic reminder. It calls into question not only the individual responsibility of those who physically committed the violent act, but also the political and institutional responsibilities of those who, for years, underestimated the prison emergency.
Investing in staff, facilities, rehabilitation programs, and healthcare is not optional, but a legal, ethical, and civic imperative. Without a change of direction, the risk is that similar tragedies will continue to recur, amidst widespread indifference, within the walls of what should be "safe residences," but which too often turn out to be places of further danger and neglect.
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