50 prison suicides, 16 more than in 2023 says ombudsman
48 men, 2 women, average age 39, 19 awaiting trial
Fifty prisoners have taken their own
lives since the beginning of the year in Italy, 16 more than in
the same period last year, the Prison Ombudsman said Saturday.
"This is a high figure compared to the same month of July in
2023 and 2022, when 34 were recorded (with an increase of 16
deaths)," read the guarantor's report.
"There are 48 men and 2 women, 27 are Italian and 23 foreigners,
from 14 different countries.
"Of the people who took their own lives, 19 (38 per cent) were
awaiting trial.
"The average age of the 50 people who committed suicide is about
39."
At least five warders have also committed suicide this year.
Premier Giorgia Meloni's government passed a decree with
measures aimed at easing prison overcrowding on Wednesday amid
concern about the high number of suicides among inmates and
warders.
The decree included the establishment of a list of low-security
centres that will be able to accommodate some type of prisoners,
such as those with short sentences, drug addicts and those
convicted of certain non-violent crimes.
It also featured the simplification and streamlining of the
procedures for the granting of early release, and new rules for
the recruitment and training of warders and jail managers.
There are also plans in the decree to increase the number of
phone calls granted to prisoners.
At the moment there are around 61,000 inmates in Italy's jails,
while the official capacity is around 51,000, with an
overcrowding rate of 130%.
As well as overcrowding and low prospects of release, poor
conditions are often cited as a factor in suicides.
Prison unions have said the actual inmate suicide figure is 51
this year.
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