Press Release
Italy gives green light to
the publication of two reports
by Council of Europe Anti-Torture Committee
Strasbourg,
29.01.2003 – In two reports published today,
the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) assesses the
treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in Italy. The reports, which have
been published at the request of the Italian authorities, together with their responses,
concern the third periodic visit to Italy in February 2000, as well as a
follow-up visit carried out at San Vittore Prison (Milan) in November 1996.
Given
the deficiencies observed during the 2000 visit, the CPT recommended an
inspection of all detention facilities of law enforcement agencies. In their
response, the Italian authorities highlight the improvements made in the light
of the CPT’s standards. The CPT also welcomed the closing-down of Francavilla
Fontana Temporary holding centre for foreign nationals, in response to an
immediate observation made by its delegation.
The
CPT made numerous recommendations concerning the prison system; one of the most
important concerned prisoners subject to Section 41bis of the Prison Law. In
their response, the authorities describe efforts made to ensure appropriate
contacts and activities for prisoners subject to that regime. In addition, they
outline the measures taken following the CPT’s recommendations concerning
Bologna and Naples (Poggioreale) Prisons; they relate in particular to the
improvement of the material conditions of detention and of the programmes of
activities offered to prisoners.
A
number of recommendations were also made by the Committee concerning
establishments for minors (Bari, Bologna, Nisida), as well as the Judicial
Psychiatric Hospital in Montelupo Fiorentino. In their response, the authorities
inform the CPT of their decision to entirely rebuild the Penal Institution for
Minors in Bologna and to set up an ad hoc commission mandated to analyse the
specific problems faced by judicial psychiatric hospitals.
The CPT reports and the responses of the
Italian authorities are available on the CPT’s website (http://www.cpt.coe.int)
