A prison officer was punched in the face while trying to block a prisoner who had gone into a rage.
The now "typical" serious episode inside the Uta prison took place this morning in a courtroom in Cagliari before a judge, magistrate and lawyers. Only the prompt intervention of the escort agents prevented the worst, after the inmate had tried to throw himself against one of those present.
The secretary of the UilPa Penitentiary Police, Michele Cireddu, denounces yet another violence linked to detention: «What happened today in court is only a small glimpse of what happens every day in prisons. Without the agent's quick reflexes, the prisoner could have seriously harmed someone present and would certainly have tried to escape, considering that he is not new to similar attitudes».
When an intervention by the prefect is requested due to the risk of public safety, Cireddu relaunches, «we are also referring to episodes like this. If the agent, sacrificing his own physical safety, had not had the reflexes ready to immediately immobilize the aggressor, a tragedy could have taken place: his size and physical prowess would certainly have allowed him to harm anyone present" .
The situation in Uta is described as "in disarray. The picketing in external places of care are bringing the institute to its knees», adds Cireddu, «and it is incredible to think that despite the presence of a Sai (sort of external hospital)». Furthermore, the staff is forced to work endless shifts, «at the limit of legality, it is unthinkable to continue working even 12 hours in line without even being able to eat. Without concrete interventions, episodes like today's may not have the same epilogue".
(Unioneonline/E.Fr.)
