Italian Jails: The Most Crowded In The Eu

[Rosie]

It looks like the Italian jails are the most crowded in the European Union. It's no surprise after what we keep hearing in the news!

Since some prisons at over 250 percent of the capacity they were built for, the European Court of Human Rights had to do something about it. So, Italy came up with a solution: reduction in pre-trial detention and alternatives to jail time for alcoholics and drug addicts committing minor offences. House arrest is also part of the solution.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Mosquito]

Really? That's interesting, I was pretty sure that my country (Poland) would be on top of that list But seriously, that is a difficult situation. Having prisoners in overcrowded jails is a human rights violation and also makes it more difficult to control the prisoners and have order in jails... But it's not like they can just let all those people out. I think the solutions they're coming up with are a pretty good start, but they might not be enough. I hope this problem is solved.

 

[Rosie]

In my opinion, I think they should build more jails
Build more jails - have more room for the bad guys AND create more jobs!

Personally, I now how it sounds, but because the prisoners ended up in jail, it means they have done something really bad and I honestly couldn't care less that they feel crowded. Usually who ends up in jail committed murder, rape and other bad things. They should stay in prison, not be let home because the jails have no more room

 

[Mosquito]

Personally, I now how it sounds, but because the prisoners ended up in jail, it means they have done something really bad and I honestly couldn't care less that they feel crowded. Usually who ends up in jail committed murder, rape and other bad things. They should stay in prison, not be let home because the jails have no more room

Oh, not necessarily. Apparently in Poland (I don't know about Italy, but I assume it's similar pretty much everywhere) a lot of prisoners are people who have been doing things like avoiding paying some bills, driving a bicycle drunk (apparently that's a quite common crime? ) and so on. There aren't that many rapists and murderers. People can also go to prison for lesser crimes and they do.
I doubt they offer home arrest or other alternatives to rapists and murderers Don't worry about it.
I agree that more prisons should be built, though. But I guess it's pretty expensive.

 

[Chillout]

Well according to a news report that I read tonight, anyone who is given a sentence of less that 2 years does not actually go to jail.

Here is the story of a man who smashed up some slot machines in a bar in Padua with an axe. He got a six month sentence but it was not enforced as it was less than 2 years.

Here is a snippet from the news story:

Bregu was immediately sent for trial at a local court and jailed for six months for criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. He was released immediately because prison terms under two years are not enforced in Italy to reduce overcrowding.

Source: http://news.sky.com/story/1117631/axe-attack-man-gets-revenge-on-slot-machines

I understand that prisons may be full but this system sends out a very bad message and Italy could be classed as an easy touch for criminals.

 

[Rosie]

Exactly!
Although this man doesn't need to go to jail, he needs to get psychological help. Gambling addictions are a serious issue (especially for old ladies, I see them buy lottery ticket after lottery ticket and playing their pension away on slot machines everyday...)

Back on topic, it's like my best friend says, he works a whole month and goes through sweat and nerves to earn a lousy salary and these low lives steal from people's homes and then they just go free like nothing happened, because the jails are too crowded....

 

[colfgg]

I totally agree that alcoholics and drug addicts should not be thrown in jail. They have a health issue. More often than none it is a mental issue that needs to be treated accordingly. There is no such treatment in prison so inmates tend to stay inmates. I don't know what the rate of re-incarceration rate is in Italy though. It would be nice to find out.