Protest Through Hunger: Advocating for Prison Reform in Italy

 Rita Bernardini, President of the association "Nessuno tocchi Caino" (Let no one touch Cain), and Italy Viva's deputy Roberto Giachetti have initiated a hunger strike in response to the disastrous state of Italian prisons. With 60,323 inmates against a actual capacity of 47,300, their plea to the institutions is to quickly reduce the number of inmates to legal capacity.

Satyagraha Hunger Strike:
The hunger strike, named Satyagraha, meaning 'force of truth,' aims to spotlight the dire living conditions in Italian penitentiaries and engage with institutional representatives who have the power to intervene. The current state of the penal system, violating both Italian constitutional and European conventional parameters, is deemed as an affront to human dignity, often resulting in despair and death.

Support for Legislative Proposals:
Elisabetta Zamparutti, treasurer of the association, emphasizes their support for a special early release bill presented by Roberto Giachetti. They endorse any legislative proposals with the same objective of reducing the prison population and improving living and working conditions for the entire prison community.

Challenges in the Prison System:
The initiative addresses the contradictions within the government, pointing out the Minister Nordio's commitment to alternative measures while simultaneously introducing new criminal offenses and proposing new prisons. Rita Bernardini emphasizes the need for structural reforms, stating that the current prison system is criminogenic, evident in recidivism rates of 70-80% for those released. They advocate for increased focus on alternative measures.

Healthcare Challenges:
Besides overcrowding, the dire state of healthcare in prisons is highlighted. Inadequate medical assistance leads to lengthy delays for necessary check-ups, with some waiting for months or years. The shortage of doctors willing to work in prisons exacerbates the problem.

Suicides and Urgent Action:
With 152 suicides in 24 months, urgent action is demanded. "Nessuno Tocchi Caino" proposes strengthening early release policies as a preventive measure to avoid severe violations of human dignity. The current restrictions on family communication are criticized, as they alienate inmates from familial ties, which are considered essential for rehabilitation.

Conclusion:
The hunger strike serves as a stark call for immediate reforms in the Italian prison system, focusing on reducing overcrowding, improving healthcare, and promoting alternatives to incarceration for a more humane and effective justice system.