Urgent action is needed to stem the fear of prison suicides which has seen at least 20 inmates take their lives this year, President Sergio Mattarella said Monday.
"A priority element is the need for health care in prisons, which is a widespread, indispensable need", he told prison officers at the Quirinale presidential palace.
""It is imperative that this be addressed promptly.
"The number of suicides in prisons shows that urgent action is needed.
"It is important and indispensable to address this problem immediately and urgently.
"All this must be done out of respect for the values of ourConstitution, out of respect for those who are detained in prisons and for those who work there", said Mattarella.
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