In Italy, police put an end to systematic violence against minors in a prison in Milan, in the north of the country. Around twenty guards were arrested or suspended on Monday April 22. They are accused of having instituted torture and abuse as a “system” to control incarcerated children.
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With our correspondent in Rome, Blandine Hugonnet
“ It’s a hell where getting beaten is the norm »: this is how the young prisoners describe the conditions in the Beccaria prison, in the suburbs of Milan, in Italy. This juvenile detention center is governed by “ continuous and systematic practices of violence “. To enforce the rules, the “ agents hit “. A ” established system » which led to a “ climate of terror », asserts bluntly, in her order, Stefania Donadeo, investigating judge of Milan.
She ordered the arrest of thirteen guards and the suspension of eight others, or half of the workforce. All are accused of being complicit in attacks, acts of torture, abuse of power as well as attempted sexual violence against minors.
Violence reported for a long time
In the Milanese prison, since 2022, boys have suffered cruel and degrading attacks. Some were handcuffed to be beaten, an investigation found. In total, testimonies from former prisoners, wiretaps and internal surveillance videos were collected.
The violence had been reported there for a long time by young people, adds the chaplain priest. And the Beccaria structure has been abandoned for years, recognizes the mayor of Milan. Between lack of resources and training of agents, it is a difficult period for the prison environment, admits the Milan Prosecutor’s Office.
The Prosecutor’s Office also deplores the suicides of prisoners – a hundred have already been recorded since last year – and the overcrowding. The prisoners are 13,500 more than the number of places available in Italian prisons.
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