Palermo, guardian of detainees: ensuring mental health for those in prison

“On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, scheduled for Thursday, October 10, it would be desirable for the Palermo Health Authority, in addition to promoting the initiative in the square to make known the services offered by the mental health department, to also concern itself with those who will never be able to benefit from them, such as the prison population. These are hundreds of people with psychiatric problems already diagnosed before entering prison and people who have experienced crises within the penitentiary institutions.”

This is stated by Pino Apprendi, the ombudsman for detainees in Palermo. “If the general director of the Palermo Health Authority, Daniela Faraoni, has the data on the Pagliarelli, Ucciardone, and juvenile detention centers, she knows well that – adds Apprendi – the centrality of mental health and well-being in all phases of life, social inclusion workshops and shared paths, which will be discussed, are denied to those who are incarcerated.”