50 prison suicides, 16 more than in 2023 says ombudsman

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 6 - Fifty prisoners have taken their own lives since the beginning of the year in Italy, 16 more than in the same period last year, the Prison Ombudsman said Saturday.
    "This is a high figure compared to the same month of July in 2023 and 2022, when 34 were recorded (with an increase of 16 deaths)," read the guarantor's report.
    "There are 48 men and 2 women, 27 are Italian and 23 foreigners, from 14 different countries.
    "Of the people who took their own lives, 19 (38 per cent) were awaiting trial.
    "The average age of the 50 people who committed suicide is about 39." At least five warders have also committed suicide this year.
    Premier Giorgia Meloni's government passed a decree with measures aimed at easing prison overcrowding on Wednesday amid concern about the high number of suicides among inmates and warders.
    The decree included the establishment of a list of low-security centres that will be able to accommodate some type of prisoners, such as those with short sentences, drug addicts and those convicted of certain non-violent crimes.
    It also featured the simplification and streamlining of the procedures for the granting of early release, and new rules for the recruitment and training of warders and jail managers.
    There are also plans in the decree to increase the number of phone calls granted to prisoners.
    At the moment there are around 61,000 inmates in Italy's jails, while the official capacity is around 51,000, with an overcrowding rate of 130%.
    As well as overcrowding and low prospects of release, poor conditions are often cited as a factor in suicides.
    Prison unions have said the actual inmate suicide figure is 51 this year. (ANSA).