Lawyers visit Uta prison: "There are 725 inmates inside, out of 561 places."

A delegation from the Cagliari Criminal Court, together with "Nessuno tocchi Caino," visited Uta prison to offer a concrete sign of support to the inmates during the holidays.

"A simple but necessary gesture, at a particularly challenging time for the facility, marked by severe overcrowding and a structural lack of services offered, especially in healthcare. These critical issues impact the dignity of those detained and the work of those who work within on a daily basis," a statement reads.

The most critical situation concerns the institution's healthcare management, "with particular reference to the assistance provided to inmates suffering from mental illness and those with drug addiction. This is an area in which the deficiencies appear structural and extremely serious."

The critical issues, according to the lawyers, stem primarily from a chronic shortage of healthcare personnel, further exacerbated by the overcrowding conditions of the facility, which currently houses 725 inmates compared to a regulatory capacity of 561, the criminal lawyers explain.

"The gap between the number of patients and available resources makes it virtually impossible to guarantee adequate levels of care and management, especially for the most fragile and complex situations."

For example, "the planned staffing of psychiatrists is four, but in reality it has been reduced to just two, of which only one is full-time. Despite the efforts of the current health management, it has not yet been possible to activate the Addiction Service within the facility, leaving a significant number of inmates with drug addiction problems without adequate treatment," they further note.

The dramatic nature of the situation is clearly evident in the case of a young prisoner who is starving to death and cannot be force-fed due to the failure to validate his compulsory medical treatment (TSO).

"Added to this," the statement continues, "is the lack of adequate psychological assistance and the lack of a permanently on-site ambulance, elements that contribute to a picture of serious compromise of the right to health within the facility."

Then there's the imminent arrival of 92 prisoners in the 41-bis prison system: a transfer "that is sparking strong controversy and concern in the local political debate," they conclude. "Prison remains part of the rule of law. Even, and especially, in times of greatest difficulty, protecting the rights, health, and dignity of prisoners cannot be overlooked."

(Unioneonline)