Italian prison system faces overcrowding and heat emergency

The Italian penitentiary system is facing a critical humanitarian emergency characterized by severe overcrowding and extreme heat. According to a report by the association Antigone, as of late July 2026, there were 64,741 inmates in facilities with only 46,343 available spaces, representing an overcrowding rate of 139.7%.

Extreme summer temperatures have exacerbated these conditions, with cell temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in some institutions. In Ferrara, local groups have launched urgent appeals for donations of fans and funds to mitigate the health risks posed by the heat. In other regions, such as Piedmont, prison ombudsmen are calling for structural investments in education, healthcare, and psychological assistance to ensure detainees' fundamental rights and rehabilitation paths.

Specific facilities are reporting localized crises. In Livorno, the opening of a new pavilion at the "Le Sughere" prison has already resulted in overcrowding, with 159 inmates in a space designed for 134. In Crotone, structural issues have left parts of the prison closed for nearly a year, and the facility faces a 35% shortage of prison police personnel. Meanwhile, the Arginone prison in Ferrara remains significantly over capacity, housing over 400 detainees despite having only 240 regular spots.