Arghillà Prison: Inmates seize keys and cause widespread destruction

Violence has escalated at the Arghillà prison in Reggio Calabria, where inmates reportedly seized keys and caused widespread destruction within a section of the facility. According to the Osapp union, the unrest began following the suspension of visits for one inmate. Subsequently, seven individuals under special surveillance (Article 14-bis) climbed prison walls and destroyed the entire video surveillance system.

A group of inmates then managed to take control of the keys to the section, leading to what the union describes as “violent and systematic devastation.” Pasquale Montesano, deputy general secretary of Osapp, stated that the incident signifies a total collapse of the security system.

The union has issued an urgent appeal to the government, the Ministry of Justice, and the Department of Penitentiary Administration (DAP). Their demands include declaring a state of emergency, implementing extraordinary containment measures, urgent inmate transfers, and conducting immediate inspections of prison leadership and security protocols.