During a routine search of the common-house unit of the Avellino prison, a protest erupted by several inmates who blocked prison officers' access to the detention rooms.
The incident involved objects being thrown and water being spilled on the floor, complicating the work of the officers conducting the search. Despite the difficulties, the staff managed to complete the search, seizing three smartphones illegally held inside the facility.
The UILFP Penitentiary Police, represented on site by Raffaele Dragone and Raffaele Troise, emphasized that the discovery of the devices should not be considered an isolated incident, but rather a sign of the increasingly widespread use of cell phones in prisons.
The union has called attention to the need to strengthen staffing and equip officers with adequate tools to address this phenomenon, highlighting that overcrowding and staff shortages worsen working conditions and safety.
According to the UILFP, the presence of smartphones not only violates the rules but also poses a security threat, as they can facilitate unauthorized contact with the outside world. The union calls on the Administration to urgently intervene, improving both staffing and control technologies to prevent the illicit introduction of such devices.
The Avellino prison incident thus emerges as a wake-up call, highlighting structural and operational issues that require concrete responses, so that the safety and protection of staff can once again become a priority in the penitentiary institution.
