Young inmate at Palermo’s Malaspina prison sets fire to his cell, hospital visit postponed
The article describes a chaotic and frightening night at the Malaspina juvenile prison in Palermo. A detainee, unhappy with the medical decision to postpone his hospital visit, set fire to his cell, causing a dangerous fire that required the intervention of the prison staff, including off-duty personnel. The young man, who had complained of foot pain after a fall in the shower, did not accept the doctor’s assessment that the visit could wait until the next day. His reaction was drastic: he set fire to the sheets and mattresses, igniting a dangerous blaze.
The situation quickly deteriorated as the flames spread, and prison police officers intervened to contain the fire and secure the area. Eventually, on the orders of the institution’s commander, the detainee was taken to the hospital, but the X-ray results confirmed it was a simple contusion. He returned to Malaspina at half past midnight, leaving behind a trail of damage and tension.
Paolo La Corte, secretary of the Autonomous Union of Prison Police (SAPPE), highlighted the severity of the incident, calling it a “madness.” He mentioned the risk faced by officers in extinguishing the flames and restoring security.
The general secretary of SAPPE, Donato Capece, also warned about the escalating situation in Sicilian prisons. He stressed that incidents like the one at Malaspina are just the tip of the iceberg of a volatile situation. SAPPE calls for urgent measures to ensure safety in the institutions and to combat the sense of impunity among violent inmates.
Capece emphasized the need for strong rules and a robust state presence to prevent violent prisoners from creating disorder with impunity. He concluded with a plea for immediate intervention, as the situation in Sicilian prisons, particularly at Malaspina, demands a decisive and timely response to prevent similar events from recurring and endangering everyone’s safety.
Gli rinviano la visita in ospedale: giovane detenuto del carcere Malaspina di Palermo da fuoco alla sua cella
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