Avellino, more attacks on penitentiary police personnel in prison

“There is no peace in the Avellino prison, where a violent attack, yet another, has occurred on an inspector and other penitentiary police personnel on duty at the Irpina prison”. Tiziana Guacci, secretary for Campania of the Autonomous Penitentiary Police Union, reports this: “A prisoner of Maghreb origin, who was supposed to be transferred to the solitary confinement area, flew into a rage and resisted. In an attempt to stop him, he violently kicked an inspector in the stomach, causing abrasions on his arm. Not happy, he also hit another officer in the arm who came to the rescue. Only thanks to the prompt intervention of the prison police staff was it possible to restore order and secure the prisoner.” The trade unionist points out that “the situation continues to be unsustainable: the policemen at the Bellizzi prison cannot continue to find themselves in conditions of extreme insecurity in the face of critical events that occur daily”. And evidence: “What makes the situation worse, as SAPPE has long reported, is the dizzying growth of the prison population to around 620 prisoners compared to a regulatory capacity of 507 and the chronic shortage of police personnel: in fact, compared to a staffing plan which includes 188 men and 24 women in the role of agents/assistants. Currently, the actually employable force consists of 111 men and 22 women, with 77 fewer policemen. From which n. 28 units assigned to the Icam of Lauro and n. 4 to dog lovers for a total of 81 units less”. Donato Capece, general secretary of SAPPE, reports that “The situation in the Campania prisons and in Avellino is alarming. In recent weeks other officers have suffered attacks from the detained population. We foresee a fiery summer if concrete and decisive measures are not taken immediately. The Penitentiary Police staff is exhausted. It can no longer be postponed.” concludes Capece who appeals to the institutional and political authorities: “equip the Penitentiary Police with a taser and any other useful tool to defend themselves from violence as soon as possible”. (Press release)