SAPPE union calls for specialized Italian prison facilities for violent inmates

Donato Capece, general secretary of the Autonomous Penitentiary Police Union (SAPPE), has called on Justice Minister Carlo Nordio to implement specialized structures for managing highly violent inmates. Capece argues that the current practice of transferring aggressive or threatening prisoners between facilities merely shifts the problem from one overcrowded institution to another without resolving the underlying security issues.

The union is advocating for the full application of existing legal frameworks, specifically Articles 14-bis and 32 of the penitentiary regulations, to create specialized national circuits or dedicated sections. These facilities would require advanced security systems, specialized training for staff, and dedicated medical and psychiatric assistance.

As part of the proposal, SAPPE suggested evaluating the potential reuse of Pianosa and Asinara as models for modern, highly specialized facilities. Capece emphasized the need to improve working conditions for prison officers, who frequently face physical assaults, noting that security is a necessary condition for guaranteeing the rights of both inmates and staff.