To Pope Francis To the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella To the Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede To the Health Minister Roberto Speranza To the Head of the Penitentiary Administration Franco Bsentini To the National Ombudsman To the members of Parliament To the Head of the Civil Defence Angelo Borrelli In view of the dramatic health emergency that is touching all the population, we think that the preventive measures took by the Governement are inadequate for the prisoners.
Infact, if Covid-19 spreads into the prisons, it will endanger the health of 61.000 people. Moreover, almost the 50% of people who are in jail is between 40 and 80 years old; over the 70% is affected by chronic illnesses and their immune system is damaged. Regarding these elements, if Covid-19 spreads into prisons, it will be an unchecked disaster. Keeping down and forbidding visits with family members or voluntary workers' entry, don't prevent any risk of infection.
To Pope Francis To the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella To the Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede To the Health Minister Roberto Speranza To the Head of the Penitentiary Administration Franco Bsentini To the National Ombudsman To the members of Parliament To the Head of the Civil Defence Angelo Borrelli In view of the dramatic health emergency that is touching all the population, we think that the preventive measures took by the Governement are inadequate for the prisoners. Infact, if Covid-19 spreads into the prisons, it will endanger the health of 61.000 people. Moreover, almost the 50% of people who are in jail is between 40 and 80 years old; over the 70% is affected by chronic illnesses and their immune system is damaged. Regarding these elements, if Covid-19 spreads into prisons, it will be an unchecked disaster. Keeping down and forbidding visits with family members or voluntary workers' entry, don't prevent any risk of infection. On the contrary, this situation has given rise to fear, panic and insecurity among prisoners, their families and penitentiary staff, who must run a regular service. Prisons are public places, overcrowded and unsafe. Everyday penitentiary staff's entry could pose a threat for prisoners' healt, since it could carry the virus. For this reason, the Governement mustn't forget that prisoners are citizens too and their rights, especially the right to healthcare, are guaranteed from our Constitution. We ask to the Government to suspend suddenly the sentence for old and ill prisoners and also ask to the Parliament to grant urgently amnisty for all the people in jail. 4th March 2020.