Enna prison riot sparks arrests, extensive damage and calls for reforms

A violent disturbance erupted at the Luigi Bodenza house of detention in Enna, Sicily, when roughly a hundred inmates seized sections of the old wing and set fire to surveillance equipment. The unrest followed a recent lightning strike that knocked out telephone lines, leaving prisoners unable to contact families, though officials later said the trigger was the interception of illicit packages from outside. No prison staff were injured, but eight detainees were arrested and transferred to other facilities.

The rioters caused extensive damage to cameras, electric and heating systems, with repair costs estimated in the hundreds of thousands of euros and parts of the prison rendered unusable. The facility is severely overcrowded, housing 214 inmates against a capacity of 167 (about 128% occupancy), reflecting broader systemic problems. Union representatives from the Autonomous Police Penitentiary Union (SAPPE) condemned years of neglect, staff shortages, and the failure to implement already‑funded renovation works.

Political figures from Fratelli d’Italia, Lega, and the Democratic Party expressed solidarity with the penitentiary police, praised their response, and urged the government to accelerate investment in staffing and infrastructure. Tension remains high inside the prison as authorities plan to relocate inmates and complete pending repairs.