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Italian Prisons Face Deepening Overcrowding Crisis
(MENAFN) Prison overcrowding in Italy has climbed to critical levels, with inmate numbers far exceeding available capacity, according to a new report released by the rights organization Antigone.
The group stated that as of April 30, 2026, Italian prisons were holding 64,436 inmates. Although the official system capacity stands at 51,265 places, the number of actually usable spaces has reportedly dropped to 46,318, pushing the effective overcrowding rate to 139.1%.
According to the report, 73 detention centers are operating at occupancy levels of at least 150%, while eight prisons are holding more than double their intended capacity.
The organization linked deteriorating prison conditions partly to recent policies introduced by Italian prison authorities, arguing that tighter restrictions on inmate movement and daily activities have increased tensions inside correctional facilities.
Figures cited in the report showed a sharp rise in violence and disorder. Assaults targeting prison officers reportedly increased by 12.4%, climbing from 2,154 incidents to 2,423 cases. Violence between inmates also rose significantly, jumping 73% from 3,356 cases in 2021 to 5,812 in 2025.
The report added that incidents classified as threats to prison order and security increased by 27.6%.
Concerns were also raised over prisoner welfare and mental health conditions. According to the findings, at least 82 inmates died by suicide during 2025, while 24 additional suicides have already been recorded since the start of 2026.
“In less than a year and a half, 106 inmates have died by suicide,” the report said. It also noted that total prison deaths reached 254 in 2025, marking the highest figure seen in decades.
Patrizio Gonnella said measures such as prison closures and stricter internal regulations had failed to improve security conditions.
The report further argued that tougher sentencing policies and broader government crackdowns have played a major role in worsening overcrowding across the prison system.
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