41 bis prisoners in Sardinia: the regional government takes on the national government: ‘treated as the Cayenne of Italia’

Prisoners subject to the 41-bis regime are arriving in Sardinia, and the regional government, through its president, Alessandra Todde, has criticised the central government.  “With the arrival of the first prisoners subject to the 41-bis regime at Uta prison, Minister Nordio is carrying through a decision imposed on Sardinia, having avoided engaging with the regional government right up to the last moment,” says the governor. “On 4 August, I wrote to him again formally. I asked for the documents and criteria that led to a significant proportion of the 41-bis population being concentrated in Sardinian prisons. The Region had already asked on several occasions to be involved in decisions that directly affect its territory.” 

In addition to the regional government, the mayors of the municipalities where Sardinia’s various prisons are located had also spoken out against the decision to transfer prisoners to high-security facilities. ‘The formal request was not followed by any response from the Ministry of Justice,’ continued the president. ‘No reply at all. The Government has chosen to proceed unilaterally and arrogantly, treating Sardinia as the Cayenne of Italia.’

The president also drew attention to the conditions within the Sardinian prison system, starting with the situation in the institutions designed to house prisoners subject to special security measures.

“Uta is already operating beyond its capacity, Bancali is facing a similar situation, and the system is having to cope with staff shortages and a healthcare system under pressure,” he continues. To this situation, the Government is adding a significant concentration of prisoners subject to the 41-bis regime, without explaining to the Region what criteria it used to reach this decision or what measures it intends to take to address the consequences. The Government speaks of security as a priority yet leaves Sardinia without answers regarding a prison emergency that can no longer be postponed.” 

Also at the heart of the matter is the so-called ‘insularity issue’, which specifically concerns Sardinia, and the relationship between the State and the Region. ‘This is the most serious issue politically speaking. Sardinia is expected to bear the brunt of a decision taken by the State, whilst its highest institution is denied even a formal response,’ he adds. ‘We fought for insularity to be recognised in the Constitution. It is unacceptable that today the very fact of being an island has become a disadvantage for which Sardinia is made to pay.’