Italy's prisons face record overcrowding and rising suicides

Italy’s prison system is in crisis, with national occupancy at 139% and some regions far higher. In the Lazio region the occupancy reached 149%, housing more than 2,200 inmates above capacity and creating a ratio of three detainees for every two available places. The overcrowding has been linked to a surge in self‑harm, with over 12,000 self‑injury incidents reported nationwide in 2025 and eight suicides recorded in Lazio alone.

A report by Dr. Stefano Anastasìa for the regional guarantor highlighted that several facilities, including Latina (208% occupancy) and Regina Coeli in Rome (192%), are severely over capacity. Conditions in prisons such as the women’s facility at Rebibbia are described as “manicotti”, with 162% occupancy, inadequate hygiene, rodent infestations and insufficient medical care. Human‑rights activist Rita Bernardini, former deputy of the Radical Party, visited Rebibbia on 5 June and warned that the system is collapsing under the weight of overcrowding and neglect.

The situation threatens the physical and mental health of thousands of detainees and underscores the need for urgent reforms in Italy’s correctional policies.