A structure without any internal control, in which that "consolidated system" over the years of beatings and torture on 16 and 17 year olds with problematic histories, including hardship, crimes and drug addiction, had taken hold undisturbed, at least until a few months ago with the arrival of the new director at the Beccaria juvenile prison.
It is the disturbing scenario that comes to the surface not only from the documents of the Milan Prosecutor's Office, in the investigation that led to 13 prison officers and the suspension of eight colleagues , but from the very words of those arrested in the first interrogations.
The "method of violence" implemented at Beccaria, write the deputy Letizia Mannella and the prosecutors Rosaria Stagnaro and Cecilia Vassena, «had its main foundation in the omissive and malicious insolvency contribution of a series of top figures ». Among these is mentioned the former commander of the Penitentiary Police Francesco Ferone , suspended yesterday and accused of false reports, "who knowingly facilitated and strengthened the criminal determinations of his subordinates ".
For this reason, the investigations, conducted by the Flying Squad and by the Penitentiary Police themselves, continue to ascertain, again from testimonies and reports, any other cases of abuse, but also suspected cover-ups and misdirections in the institution in relation to the actions of the officers.
Meanwhile, five out of six arrested (one made use of the right not to respond and the others will be heard in the next few days), questioned by investigating judge Stefania Donadeo, said they felt " abandoned to themselves, without hierarchical controls and even help from part of the structure, incapable of managing situations ".
They said they found themselves having to deal with young people detained without adequate training, themselves young, between 25 and 35 years old, first appointed and with little experience . No help from superiors or other figures. In some cases they would have saved lives by intervening in suicide attempts or fires that broke out. In others, however, their hand would fly out as a violent reaction.
