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.
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