Prison suicides decreased among prisoners – Avvenire.it

“A more humane prison is good for everyone.” That is what the new Antigone report on the status of jails Italy presented in Rome.

A statement supported primarily by data on suicide in prison in recent years have registered a negative trend, both for prisoners and for staff members of the prison service. In 2015 , the report says, there have been 43 suicides (while 79 deaths from natural causes): an average of 8.2 suicides per 10,000 inmates.

In 2009, when the Italian prisons there were 15 thousand prisoners in addition, the percentage was higher: 9.2 suicides per 10,000 prisoners. Most of the suicides took place by hanging (39 cases).

The youngest inmate suicide was 18 years. Also down the proportion of natural deaths (15.9 to 13.6) and also the suicide of the penitentiary police agents in 2015 fall: only 2 compared with 11 in 2014. “The additional space – the report says -, the younger crowding affects the life prospects probably due to a greater socio-sanitary control. It also improves the lives of prison officers “.
 

The report of Antigone – as reported by Social Editor – then makes a point on what is “life inside”, between positive and negative aspects. According to the association, about 95 percent in the medium-security prisoners have the opportunity to spend eight hours out of their cell, not always, however, these hours are subtracted idleness, the report explained.

About 3 inmates out of ten, however, they work, but of these only a small part has a private employer. 612 prisoners are employed in the manufacturing of such activities, 208 in agriculture. “Most working for the prison administration in domestic activities – the report says -. Working in prison means to be busy for a few hours a week and earn about 200 euro per month on average. ”
 

Cala number of prisoners enrolled in professional courses: the second half of 2015 were 2,376 (4.5 percent). In 2009 there were 3,864, 6 per cent of those present. “The regions – the report adds – is gradually disengage.” The number of students enrolled in school courses, however, is more substantial: over 17,000 in the school year 2014-2015, of which 7000 promoted at the end of year (half foreigners). At the end of 2014, also they had 413 students enrolled at the university. So they have graduated 72 inmates.
 

Women inmates, children and entitled to affection

 “Partially guaranteed” the right to affection. Not in all the institutions in fact you can book visits by the family (123 institutions), the Sunday talks are possible in 148 jails, while only 98 are those where you can make visits six days a week.
 

In 172 prisons, however, there are spaces for the children of detained children, in 146 prisons, however, is granted to inmates to call (for 10 minutes a week) family members with their membership card. Only in 2 prisons, however, inmates can make a call via Skype, and here the “percentage of implementation” of the law stops one percent, complaint Antigone.

There are many institutions also clear rules for detainees and staff within the structures. According to the association only 111 institutions have a regulation, 82 others missing clear information. 31 other institutions the Charter of Rights is not delivered in the most spoken languages. Insufficient, finally, the presence of cultural mediators, very often present for a tight weekly number of hours.

 
 Foreign detainees. In for lesser crimes than Italians

  The foreign prisoners are less in proportion than in 2009. Today, they represent 33.45% of the population held against 37.15% in 2009. The European average is around 21%. So in Italy there is an over-representation of the prison population is not Italian.
 Morocco (16.9% of the total foreign), Romania (15.9%), Albania (13.8%), Tunisia (11%), Nigeria (3.9%), Egypt (3.4%) are the communities national most represented.

Overall, foreign prisoners have committed 8,192 crimes against property, 6,599 against individuals, 6,266 drugs in violation of the law, in violation of international law 1372, 95 Mafia crimes.
 Foreigners are a percentage much higher than Italians in custody. 42.1% of foreigners has not yet been definitively convicted of a total of 34.6%. Are therefore clearly discriminated in the trial stage the more they commit crimes generally less severe. Against them using custodial supervision measures as well more so. 70% of foreigners has a remaining sentence to be served less than three years.