Avellino – A woman and an inmate were caught by prison police attempting to smuggle cocaine into prison.
The incident, discovered during discussions with the families of inmates in the 'common' section, was reported by the union in a statement from Raffaele Troise Raffaele, head of the Gau UILFP Penitentiary Police Avellino Bellizzi secretariat.
The woman showed up for the interview hiding a package containing cocaine and hashish in her private parts, with the intention of handing it over to her imprisoned family member.
The exchange, however, did not escape the attention of the officer guarding the interview room. Suspicious of the two men's movements, the officer intervened promptly, managing to block the exchange and recover the substance, which was later seized.
Raffaele Troise, head of the UIL FP Penitentiary Police, spoke about the case, expressing his appreciation for the staff who intervened to prevent the drug from being smuggled into the prison. "Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the officers. Once again, they demonstrated professionalism, attentiveness, and operational ability. In situations like these, the experience and intuition of the staff make the difference."
But the UILFP Penitentiary Police union raises the issue of resource constraints in the sector: "We can't keep asking prison officers to do more and more with fewer and fewer resources. Security can't be relied upon on the daily sacrifices of officers. Avellino needs a change of direction."
Troise draws attention to the long-standing challenges facing the Avellino prison, starting with staffing shortages and operational difficulties. "We need immediate staff reinforcements, adequate technological tools, and structural interventions. The phenomenon of drug smuggling into prisons is a reality we must address, and the methods used to circumvent controls are becoming increasingly sophisticated."
The UILFP Penitentiary Police therefore reiterates its call for decisive action by the Penitentiary Administration. "Today's incident is yet another demonstration of the delicate nature of the daily work of the Penitentiary Police. The officers are doing their part. Now it's up to the Administration to ensure they have adequate personnel, resources, and working conditions."
Countering drug trafficking, Troise concludes, is not just a matter of internal security, but a fundamental element in preventing further illegal activity from developing within prisons.
