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Around 120 Inmates Seize Old Pavilion in Enna Prison Riot

Union leaders say years of neglected repairs plus chronic staff shortages have left the facility vulnerable.

Overview

  • The riot, which erupted Saturday after telephone service was restored, saw about 120 detainees occupy sections of the ageing pavilion and smash internal surveillance cameras.
  • The Casa circondariale Luigi Bodenza was surrounded by carabinieri, polizia and Guardia di Finanza while Gio intervention teams from Catania and reinforcements from other prisons were sent to retake control.
  • Days earlier a lightning strike had knocked out the prison's telephone exchanges and officers had recently seized several illicit cellphones and doses of drugs while foiling an escape attempt.
  • Authorities have not released official casualty numbers or a full damage estimate, but ANSA reports that searches, arrests of suspected ringleaders and transfers of inmates are under way with eight arrests reported.
  • Unions say the episode shows chronic overcrowding, decaying structures and severe staff shortages at Enna and note that pledged renovation funds remain unspent, a set of failures likely to trigger parliamentary scrutiny and operational changes.