"Extremely serious disturbances in Bancali prison." This was reported in a statement by the prison police union (USPP) , which reports on what happened yesterday in the prison's Article 32 section, the unit that houses, the trade association writes, "particularly problematic and aggressive inmates, subjected to a closed regime and high surveillance."
"During the tensions," it is reported, " gas canisters were thrown at staff, pieces of radiators were torn off and used as blunt instruments, as well as spitting and threats directed at prison police officers."
Among other things, the gas canisters also exploded, the union reports, "generating further chaos and danger." But there's another aspect that worries law enforcement, who describe the situation as " out of control."
«Some inmates openly proclaim themselves “masters of the prison”, convinced that they can independently manage internal dynamics and rules, in a climate of total loss of respect towards uniformed staff» .
To restore calm, two shifts had to be combined and hours of work had to be performed, even with mediation, to prevent the situation from escalating further, the union emphasizes.
"It should be noted," the USPP states, "that despite the absence of the department's top officials on site, young inspectors and very young officers managed a very high-risk situation single-handedly, demonstrating a sense of responsibility, balance, and great operational ability."
The union's complaints also concern another critical issue they claim is affecting the section. "Numerous armored vehicles are damaged or not fully functional," the statement continues. "This has forced staff to manually man the cell locks to prevent the escape of dangerous objects and offensive materials, resulting in a huge waste of human resources and an exponential increase in risk for the workers."
The Uspp urges immediate intervention, both from a structural and organizational perspective , recalling that «the Sassari penitentiary police staff is now exhausted » and requests «a constant presence of the chain of command and more incisive management of the most problematic sections».
The union has become, the statement concludes, "a point of reference, especially for younger staff. A union built almost entirely by young delegates and young members of the prison police, who experience the operational sections and critical issues of the Institute on a daily basis."