More arrivals in Sardinia. But they're not tourists. Not even on a sunny Sunday, with cars queuing toward the beaches, did the operation (renamed "Iride") to transfer 41-bis prisoners to Uta prison stop.
From the Decimomannu military airport to the prison, the scene from the previous day was repeated: a long line of vehicles, sirens blaring, drove along the 554 and provincial roads 1. Another 20 prominent members of organized crime entered the southern wing of the prison, equipped to house inmates subjected to the harsh prison regime. The one hundredth inmate quota has been definitively reached. All this is fueling the anger and concern of the mayors of the municipalities, who sense the risk of criminal infiltration in their territories.
"A disproportionate number of inmates have been transferred to Uta prison," denounces the mayor of Cagliari and the Metropolitan City, Massimo Zedda . "In July, Minister Nordio visited the facility without notifying the Region and the affected municipalities. It was an unprecedented institutional disrespect, a form of institutional rudeness. Now comes the bitter surprise of the arrival of the 41 bis inmates." According to Zedda, "this is yet another servitude that Sardinia is suffering. It is now necessary to strengthen the control systems across the territory to prevent the risk of criminal infiltration. The emergency must be managed."
According to Assemini Mayor Mario Puddu , "the possibility of social repercussions in our region is very high. Sardinia has effectively become the hub for the state's prison emergencies. And I, as the mayor of one of the main cities affected by all this and as a Sardinian, don't like that."
According to Decimomannu Mayor Monica Cadeddu , "We mustn't create alarm, but we mustn't underestimate the risks either. Constant and strong coordination between all institutions and law enforcement agencies is essential to ensure the area is adequately protected and any potential infiltration attempts are prevented. Likewise, the impact such a significant increase in the prison population could have on the healthcare system is a cause for concern. Sardinia's healthcare system is already experiencing significant difficulties, and I believe it is essential that, before proceeding with such a significant increase in inmates, the impact on healthcare services and local facilities be carefully assessed, allocating the necessary resources and consequently strengthening them."
