Independent

Up to 10,000 prisoners could be released to ease overcrowding in Italy

Metaculus

Reuters

Italy May Release Up 10000 People Prison Ease Overcrowding 2025 07 16

Italy's Justice Ministry announced plans to potentially release approximately 10,000 prisoners, representing about 15% of the country's total prison population, to address severe overcrowding in detention facilities across the nation.</span

The Straits Times

Telegrafi

Italy's Justice Ministry announced plans to potentially release approximately 10,000 prisoners, representing about 15% of the country's total prison population, to address severe overcrowding in detention facilities across the nation.

Some 10,105 prisoners qualify for alternative measures, including house arrest or probation, provided their convictions are final with no ongoing appeals, have less than two years remaining on sentences and have maintained good disciplinary records.

Azernews.Az

The Local Italy

Caliber.Az

Some 10,105 prisoners qualify for alternative measures, including house arrest or probation, provided their convictions are final with no ongoing appeals, have less than two years remaining on sentences and have maintained good disciplinary records.

Individuals convicted of serious crimes including terrorism, organized crime, rape, migrant trafficking and kidnapping will be excluded from the early release program under the ministry's guidelines.</span

AnewZ

ARY NEWS

Baltic News Network

Individuals convicted of serious crimes including terrorism, organized crime, rape, migrant trafficking and kidnapping will be excluded from the early release program under the ministry's guidelines.

Italian prisons reportedly house more than 62,000 inmates — over 15,000 above capacity, ranking among Europe's worst overcrowding rates with only Cyprus, France and Turkey reporting higher occupancy levels, according to the World Prison Brief database.

The Telegraph

Italian prisons reportedly house more than 62,000 inmates — over 15,000 above capacity, ranking among Europe's worst overcrowding rates with only Cyprus, France and Turkey reporting higher occupancy levels, according to the World Prison Brief database.

The overcrowding crisis has drawn public attention following increased prisoner suicides and complaints about extreme summer temperatures in detention facilities lacking adequate air conditioning systems throughout the country.</span

The overcrowding crisis has drawn public attention following increased prisoner suicides and complaints about extreme summer temperatures in detention facilities lacking adequate air conditioning systems throughout the country.

The Justice Ministry established a task force to coordinate with prison officials and parole judges for case-by-case evaluations, emphasizing the politically sensitive nature of early releases will not happen overnight with weekly meetings scheduled through September.</span

The Justice Ministry established a task force to coordinate with prison officials and parole judges for case-by-case evaluations, emphasizing the politically sensitive nature of early releases will not happen overnight with weekly meetings scheduled through September.

Independent #1

Metaculus #0

Reuters #0

Some 10,105 prisoners qualify for alternative measures including house arrest or probation, provided their convictions are final with no ongoing appeals, have less than two years remaining on sentences, and maintained good disciplinary records.</span

Azernews.Az #

The Local Italy #

Some 10,105 prisoners qualify for alternative measures including house arrest or probation, provided their convictions are final with no ongoing appeals, have less than two years remaining on sentences, and maintained good disciplinary records.

ARY NEWS #

Italian prisons operate at approximately 122% capacity according to World Prison Brief data, ranking among Europe's worst overcrowding rates with only Cyprus, France and Turkey reporting higher occupancy levels.</span

Independent #2602

Italian prisons operate at approximately 122% capacity according to World Prison Brief data, ranking among Europe's worst overcrowding rates with only Cyprus, France and Turkey reporting higher occupancy levels.

The Straits Times #

Early prisoner releases represent a dangerous policy that prioritizes criminal comfort over victim safety and public security. Releasing 10,000 inmates sends the wrong message about accountability and could undermine deterrent effects of incarceration. The politically sensitive nature reveals officials know this policy lacks broad public support.

Early prisoner releases represent a dangerous policy that prioritizes criminal comfort over victim safety and public security. Releasing 10,000 inmates sends the wrong message about accountability and could undermine deterrent effects of incarceration. The politically sensitive nature reveals officials know this policy lacks broad public support.

Italy may release thousands of people from prison due to overcrowding

Prison overcrowding: Italy may release thousands of prisoners ahead of schedule

Italy Plans to Release 10,000 Prisoners to Ease Overcrowding

Crime & justice

Italy

Prison reform

Prisons and prisoners

Italy's desperate move to release 10,000 prisoners exposes the catastrophic failure of Meloni's law-and-order theatrics. While the government cynically criminalizes dissent and lengthens sentences, human beings languish in cells built for 51,000 but housing over 62,000. With 33 suicides already this year and inmates crammed into spaces barely three meters wide, Italy's prisons have become warehouses of despair — a humanitarian disgrace masquerading as justice.

Italy's desperate move to release 10,000 prisoners exposes the catastrophic failure of Meloni's law-and-order theatrics. While the government cynically criminalizes dissent and lengthens sentences, human beings languish in cells built for 51,000 but housing over 62,000. With 33 suicides already this year and inmates crammed into spaces barely three meters wide, Italy's prisons have become warehouses of despair — a humanitarian disgrace masquerading as justice.

Politico

Giorgia Meloni wants more people in jail. Italys prisons are already on the brink.

Bocconi University

The State of Our Prisons

Italy's plan to release 10,000 prisoners demands careful consideration. While overcrowding plagues facilities — with 56 prisons exceeding 150% capacity — the country has simultaneously experienced a sustained crime decline across homicides, theft, and robbery. Hasty reforms risk undermining this progress. True solutions require systemic change, not superficial fixes that might compromise the delicate balance between punishment and public safety.

Italy's plan to release 10,000 prisoners demands careful consideration. While overcrowding plagues facilities — with 56 prisons exceeding 150% capacity — the country has simultaneously experienced a sustained crime decline across homicides, theft, and robbery. Hasty reforms risk undermining this progress. True solutions require systemic change, not superficial fixes that might compromise the delicate balance between punishment and public safety.

EuroNews

Italy's so-called 'prison decree' causes dividing opinions

SpringerLink

Incarceration Trends in Italy Between Rising Punitiveness and Penal Moderation

The Brothers of Italy party has a 72% chance of winning the most seats in the Chamber of Deputies in the next Italian election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

The Brothers of Italy party has a 72% chance of winning the most seats in the Chamber of Deputies in the next Italian election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Italy Plans to Release 10,000 Prisoners to Ease Overcrowding

Italy Plans to Release 10,000 Prisoners to Ease Overcrowding

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Italy Plans to Release 10,000 Prisoners to Ease Overcrowding

Italy Plans to Release 10,000 Prisoners to Ease Overcrowding

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