Italy to Expand Prisons and Move Addicted Inmates to Rehab

 

Italy’s government has announced a major initiative to address severe prison overcrowding by expanding capacity and improving inmate management. As of mid-July, Italian prisons held nearly 63,000 inmates despite having space for only about 47,000 resulting in an overcrowding rate of 133%, one of the highest in Europe. Only France and Cyprus rank worse, according to the World Prison Brief. In response, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has unveiled a €758 million plan to build enough facilities to accommodate nearly 10,000 more inmates by 2027. A separate plan, with no specific budget yet announced, aims to add another 5,000 places over the next five years. These steps follow increased public concern over prison conditions, particularly after a record number of inmate suicides last year and complaints about extreme heat in overcrowded, non-air-conditioned cells. A law passed last year to improve prison conditions reportedly had little impact, prompting the government to take more significant measures. Meloni emphasized the importance of aligning prison capacity with sentencing demands, saying a just state must ensure that facilities can accommodate all individuals required to serve time. The government hopes the new approach will not only ease overcrowding but also address systemic failures in the correctional system. The Ministry of Justice has also formed a taskforce to accelerate the assessment of prisoner cases, especially those nearing the end of their sentences, to reduce the overall inmate population in a sustainable and controlled manner.

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As part of its broader prison reform, Italy is shifting focus from strict punishment to rehabilitation, particularly for inmates with substance abuse issues. The justice ministry revealed that nearly one-third of the prison population struggles with alcohol or drug addiction. In a major step, the government has introduced a draft law to allow many of these individuals to serve their sentences in rehabilitation centers instead of traditional prisons. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio stated that addicted individuals “need treatment rather than punishment,” emphasizing a more humane and practical approach to incarceration. The move is intended to ease pressure on prisons while helping inmates get the support they need to reintegrate into society. Another reform aims to address inmates who are nearing the end of their sentences. Up to 10,000 such individuals could soon be eligible for early release through house arrest or probation. This early release initiative will be introduced gradually due to the political sensitivity involved, particularly since the current government is known for its tough stance on crime. The Justice Ministry has also set up a taskforce to streamline and speed up the case reviews required for these alternative sentencing options. This could significantly reduce the inmate population without compromising public safety. Although some critics may question the balance between justice and security, the government is presenting this strategy as a necessary shift to correct long-standing issues in Italy’s penal system. The dual strategy of expanding prison space and reducing the number of incarcerated addicts and low-risk offenders marks a significant change in the country’s correctional approach. If fully implemented, these reforms could reduce overcrowding, improve inmate conditions, and better serve those with underlying health needs, while still maintaining Italy’s core law-and-order values.

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