In Rieti prison, one of the theaters of the mutinies that have affected several Italian penal establishments since Sunday, three detainees were found dead Tuesday morning in their cell. In all, ten prisoners, including seven in Modena (North), have died in Italian prisons since the start of this revolt sparked by concern over the epidemic and the cancellation of visiting rooms for families.
"In Rieti, three detainees were found lifeless this morning (Tuesday), the first findings suggesting that the deaths could have been caused by the careless taking of drugs stolen during yesterday's uprising in the infirmary," announced the ministry. of Justice in a press release.
Coronavirus in Italy: prison mutinies kill several
Another prisoner died in Modena prison "presumably as a result of a drug overdose," added the ministry, which added that the detainee "had been hospitalized in serious condition". Six other detainees died during or after the clashes on Sunday in Sant'Anna prison in Modena after the authorities announced that they would suspend family visits and temporary absences to fight the epidemic.
100,000 masks distributed in prisons
These restrictive measures have sparked uprisings in around 20 prisons across the country, from Milan to Palermo, via Rome and Naples, which "ended almost everywhere" on Tuesday, the justice ministry said.
"It seems that the containment measures recommended for all citizens are not accepted by prisoners who are already forced by prison overcrowding, sometimes five in a single cell," said Rai News 24 Mauro Delma , Italian guarantor of people deprived of their liberty. "This is the scenario conducive to situations exploding, the feeling of feeling in a world apart from everything outside," he added.
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The boss of the League (far right) and former Minister of the Interior Matteo Salvini castigated the weakness of the government in this matter. “It is not possible that images of revolting prisons circulate around the world. A self-respecting state that wants to establish a red zone enforces the law in prisons with an iron fist, "he said.
The Ministry of Justice and the media still reported unrest on Tuesday in Bologna, where prisoners occupy certain sections of the prison as well as in Caltanissetta and Enna (Sicily), Pescara (Abruzzo) and Avellino (Campania), with groups of detainees who refuse to return to their cells. In Foggia (Apulia), 50 escaped prisoners have been captured and 22 are still wanted, according to media reports.
Italian health authorities have announced the distribution from Tuesday of "100,000 masks" in prisons and the erection of 80 tents to filter the entry of prisoners and detect possible cases of coronavirus. Italian prisons suffer from overcrowding, with more than 61,000 prisoners for 51,000 places.