Biella inmate kills self in '64th suicide of 2024'

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 6 - A 55-year-old detainee in the northwestern city of Biella has committed suicide.
    The man of Albanian origin became the 64th inmate to commit suicide in an Italian prison since the beginning of this year, according to a statement issued Tuesday by the secretary general of penitentiary police union UILPA, Gennarino De Fazio.
    Seven prison guards have also taken their lives since the beginning of the year, the statement said.
    At the moment there are an estimated 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. (ANSA).