Poggioreale Prison: The Criminal Court reports: "Rights violated, urgent action needed."

Overcrowding, structural deficiencies, and prison conditions continue to be a source of grave concern. This is the picture emerging from an inspection visit to the Poggioreale prison this morning by a delegation from the Naples Criminal Chamber, led by President Marco Muscariello and Secretary Maurizio Capozzo, as part of the national initiative "Restrained in August" promoted by the Union of Criminal Chambers.

According to criminal lawyers, inside the prison "a serious situation of hardship persists for inmates, in clear violation of constitutional and conventional rights." During the inspection, accompanied by the prison's director, Giulia Russo, the lawyers noted critical issues, especially in some wards, where structural conditions compromise hygiene and sanitation standards. Chronic staff shortages also contribute, making it even more difficult to manage an inmate population now well beyond its designated capacity.

The delegation also recognized the progress made by prison management in improving the facility's quality of life. They highlighted the results achieved through projects launched in recent months, including increased training activities, school programs, and employment opportunities offered to inmates.

During their visit, representatives of the Criminal Chamber also gathered testimonies from numerous inmates, who requested intervention to bring their conditions to the attention of the institutions. For criminal lawyers, however, the efforts made are not enough. Structural interventions that can no longer be postponed remain essential, and, above all, a clemency measure capable of concretely reducing overcrowding, thus ensuring prison conditions that respect human dignity and the principles of the rule of law.