Italian prison authorities seize illegal smartphones in multiple facilities

Prison authorities in Italy have conducted several operations to seize illegal mobile devices within correctional facilities. At the Uccella prison in Santa Maria Capua Vetere, penitentiary police seized 10 smartphones from the Tamigi high-security ward. These devices were reportedly being used by inmates to communicate with the outside world through unauthorized channels. Investigations are ongoing to determine how the phones entered the facility and the nature of the communications made.

In a separate incident at the Airola Juvenile Detention Center, officers seized two mobile phones. An adult inmate was caught making a call during a night shift and attempted to dispose of a second device by throwing it from a cell window, though agents successfully recovered it.

Following these seizures, labor unions such as Sappe have called for improved security technology. Representatives argued that relying solely on the vigilance of staff is insufficient and urged the Ministry of Justice to provide advanced tools, including metal detectors, body scanners, and anti-drone systems, to close security gaps.