Friar Prioli Secures Two-Month Extension to Prevent Prison Transfers
Two more months. He returned victorious from Rome to Beppe Prioli, the friar who is fighting against the transfer of inmates from the Peschiera prison. After speaking with Minister of Defense Sergio Mattarella, he managed to secure two months before the transfers of inmates are resumed.
A fairly long period during which an alternative solution for accommodating the approximately forty former police officers, military personnel, Carabinieri, or members of other state bodies who would otherwise be sent to Santa Maria Capua Vetere, in the province of Caserta, about a thousand kilometers from their families, most of which are in northern Italy, can be found.
Resumption of inmate activities and protests
And so, since yesterday, the inmates have been able to resume eating. The hunger strike they carried out for a week has ended. Tomorrow, the communist Refoundation Party deputy Tiziana Valiana and friar Beppe will visit the prison.
“I am really pleased,” said the determined friar. “The fact that the minister has granted me a two-month extension for the transfers indicates that even he has doubts about the decisions made. I pointed out to him how costly the transfer of all the inmates would be and how many additional expenses the ministry would have to bear when these people are called to testify.”
Comments on the issue and proposed solutions
He added: “There is not only the human tragedy of separation from family. Unfortunately, arrests among military personnel and members of law enforcement continue. It is essential to have a military prison in the north. Fundamental.”
Friar Beppe reiterated to Minister Mattarella some potential alternative solutions: the military hospital in Verona and the women’s prison in Vicenza, which currently hosts justice collaborators in one of its wings.
In the first proposal, the friar finds allies. Yesterday, a senator from Alleanza Nazionale sent a parliamentary question to the minister suggesting the transfer of inmates to the Verona facility, noting that “with some modifications, it could accommodate the inmates from Peschiera, considering that they are not dangerous criminals.”
Another question was submitted by the deputy, also mayor of Peschiera, Umberto Chincarini, along with twenty other Lega Nord parliamentarians, who in their document also asked whether it is true that the Peschiera facility could become a civil prison.
“In this scenario,” said Chincarini, “the historic center of the old Garda fortress and its community would be penalized.”
The suspicion arose when it was announced that officials from the Ministry of Justice would visit imminently. I explained to the minister,” said Prioli, “that the Peschiera military prison has been under scrutiny for days over the transfer of inmates to Santa Maria Capua Vetere and its consequent closure. The facility where these people must serve their detention must be accessible to volunteers involved in inmate assistance, who could continue the activities started in Peschiera and are essential for their reintegration.”
Today at 12:30 PM, friar Beppe will be a guest on Telepace, the network that broadcasts throughout Italy, to discuss the issue and try to further raise public awareness.
The inmates who have already been transferred to Caserta will stay at the new destination until a definitive solution is decided.
“I couldn’t ask for them to be brought back immediately,” concluded the friar. “We take one step at a time. Now I also need to try to get in touch with Giancarlo Caselli. The idea of moving the prisoners to Verona or elsewhere must also have his approval. But I am confident I can resolve this matter as well.”