Modena, violence in prison: officer attacked without institutional support

Assault in Modena: another episode of prison violence

Once again, the Modena prison is in the spotlight due to an assault on a prison officer. The incident took place in the Reception Unit, where a non-EU inmate violently protested to obtain a higher dose of medication than prescribed. After threatening a nurse, the inmate attacked the on-duty officer, striking him in the face. The officer was then taken to the Emergency Room for necessary treatment.

SAPPE highlights the difficulties of the Italian prison system

According to Gennaro Caruso and Francesco Campobasso, secretaries of the Autonomous Prison Police Union (SAPPE), this incident once again underscores the challenges and shortcomings of the Italian prison system. They emphasize that an assault on a public servant is an offense to the entire Nation, particularly when it occurs in a prison where inmates should be undergoing a process of social reintegration.

Lack of solidarity from institutions

Donato Capece, SAPPE’s general secretary, expressed bitterness over the lack of institutional support for the assaulted colleague. Capece pointed out that, unlike recent cases of attacks on other law enforcement officers, the prison officer will have to rely solely on the support of SAPPE. Capece also noted that in the past months of 2024 alone, 1,700 cases of violence against prison staff have been recorded, yet these serious assaults seem to go unnoticed by institutions and politicians.

Conclusion: Is the prison police a “child of a lesser god”?

SAPPE’s complaint highlights a sad reality: assaults on prison staff appear to be treated as mere statistics by institutions. This episode in Modena is just the latest in a long series of violent incidents that continue to undermine the already fragile Italian prison system. It’s time to seriously address these issues and provide the proper support to those who work every day to ensure safety within prisons.

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