# Violence and unrest in Italian prisons > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/violence-and-unrest-in-italian-prisons > Updated: 2026-08-28T06:15:53.000Z. Sources: 35. Developments: 2. A series of violent incidents at Italian correctional facilities has highlighted systemic issues within the prison system. On August 24, an intentional fire at the Malaspina juvenile prison in Palermo resulted in 11 injuries among detainees and officers. Following the fire and subsequent assaults on police, four young perpetrators were transferred out of Sicily. Prison unions responded by declaring a state of agitation, demanding the closure and restructuring of the facility due to staff shortages and security concerns. On August 28, violence escalated at the Siracusa-Cavadonna prison during a riot involving foreign detainees. The unrest, sparked by clashes between foreign and Italian inmates, saw detainees destroy solar panels and use metal bars as weapons. At least 11 prison police officers were injured while attempting to restore order. Inmates reportedly reached the facility’s roofs, throwing stones and debris at officers, some of whom were forced to jump from the roof to escape. Other escalations included inmates setting fire to vegetation near cells, which reached the institution’s external boiler, and an incident where an officer was dragged down stairs, sustaining a broken arm. In response to the Siracusa riot, reinforcements were called in from other facilities, and a perimeter security presence was established by the Carabinieri, State Police, and Guardia di Finanza to prevent escapes. Labor unions, including OSAPP and CONSIPE, have condemned the situation as a ‘disaster foretold’ and a ‘daily massacre,’ citing overcrowding and inadequate staffing as primary causes. A protest sit-in by prison staff is scheduled for September 1st to demand better security and institutional support. ## Claims - Detainees climbed onto the prison roofs and threw stones and debris at officers. (corroborated by 5 sources) - 11 prison police officers were injured during the riot at the Cavadonna prison in Siracusa. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The riot was caused by a group of foreign detainees awaiting transfer. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The protest required reinforcements from other prisons and the deployment of Carabinieri, State Police, and Guardia di Finanza. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Staff shortages and overcrowding are contributing to the instability in the prison system. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Inmates destroyed photovoltaic panels on the prison roof using metal bars as weapons. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Some officers were forced to jump from the roof to escape the violence. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The riot at the Cavadonna facility concluded during the night. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-28: Siracusa prison riot leaves 11 officers injured A violent riot at the Cavadonna prison in Siracusa left 11 prison police officers injured after detainees climbed onto the roof to throw stones and debris at staff. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/siracusa-cavadonna-prison-riot-leaves-multiple-officers-injured ### 2026-08-24: Malaspina juvenile prison fire in Palermo leaves 11 injured A fire and subsequent assaults at Palermo's Malaspina juvenile prison left 11 people hospitalized. Four detainees are being transferred out of Sicily, and unions are demanding the facility's closure. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/malaspina-juvenile-prison-fire-in-palermo-hospitalizes-five-agents --- Cite as: Violence and unrest in Italian prisons. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/violence-and-unrest-in-italian-prisons