Naples – A cry of alarm is coming from Nisida, the island that has been the heart of juvenile justice in Italy for decades. The alarm was raised by CON.SI.PE. (Confederation of Penitentiary Unions), following an inspection of the Nisida Juvenile Detention Center, led by Vice President Luigi Castaldo and Regional Director Antonio Chiocca.
The toll is dramatic: 50% of the male Penitentiary Police staff are short, shifts are grueling, and many of the re-education projects—the true cornerstone of the reintegration process for young inmates—have been suspended or significantly reduced.
The recovery island in trouble
The island of Nisida has always been a symbol. Here, where the sea laps the prison walls, generations of young people have attempted to start over thanks to educational programs, vocational workshops, and cultural activities.
Today, however, that same reality risks becoming a place of waiting and helplessness, overwhelmed by the structural crisis afflicting the entire Italian penitentiary system.
During the visit, the CON.SI.PE. delegation encountered a situation "on the edge of sustainability": uncovered departments, chronic staff shortages, personnel forced to cover multiple shifts and operate under conditions of high stress.
"The staff is doing what they can, but we're at the end of our tether," union representatives say. "Without investment and new hires, it will no longer be possible to guarantee safety or fulfill the re-educational function that distinguishes juvenile prisons."
Commander Ascione: Professionalism and humanity on the front lines
The delegation was welcomed with "great openness and transparency" by the department commander, Dr. Eleonora Ascione, director of the Penitentiary Police, who, despite the daily challenges, continues to maintain the high level of professionalism and dedication of her staff.
It might interest you
Campi Flegrei, the volcano that never sleeps; INGV reveals new caldera data
Nightlife under siege in Pozzuoli: two axes also seized.
A sensational robbery in Ischia occurred at the home of the Real Forio manager: the thief is a 21-year-old footballer from Lacco Ameno.
Ischia, man convicted for attacking Carabinieri during a checkpoint
A figure who—the unions emphasize—"represents the true soul of the institute: balance, humanity, and determination." But she, like many colleagues, finds herself having to manage an increasingly fragile structure, torn between its educational mission and a management crisis.
A national problem: overcrowded prisons and halved staff
The Nisida case is not isolated. For months the Court of Auditors and the National Ombudsman for Prisoners report a profound crisis in the Italian prison system: over 61 inmates for just over 51 available places, with a staffing shortage in the Penitentiary Police exceeding 7.000 units.
A condition that, in both adult and juvenile prisons, makes it almost impossible to ensure the re-educational function of punishment, enshrined in Article 27 of the Constitution.
CON.SI.PE. openly speaks of "institutional abandonment" and calls on the Ministry of Justice to send "a concrete signal": more resources, more staff, and a special plan to revitalize the reintegration of young prisoners.
«Without an adequate number of educators, psychologists and agents – explain Castaldo and Chiocca – re-education remains just a word. And Nisida, a symbol of redemption, risks becoming a prison like all the others".
Union demands
CON.SI.PE. requests:
the immediate return of personnel seconded to other locations;
strengthening the male workforce;
the restoration of suspended educational and training projects;
structural funds for maintenance and safety of the institute.
Only in this way, the unions emphasize, will it be possible to restore dignity, safety, and motivation to those who work every day on the front lines, guaranteeing young inmates a real second chance.
Comments (1)
Reading this article made me realize how serious the situation in Nisida is. The lack of staff and long shifts make everything difficult; I don't think things can continue like this for long.