Justice Minister slams prosecutor's 'unheard-of gravity' prison remarks

Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio sharply rebuked Palermo's chief prosecutor Maurizio De Lucia over his alarming statements about the state of the nation's prisons. Nordio called De Lucia's remarks "unheard of gravity" and "pathological," asserting that a prosecutor should not offend the entire police force, which risks its life daily.

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It is De Lucia who has lost control of himself. It is of unheard-of gravity that a prosecutor offends the entire body of the penitentiary police who carry out their duty at the risk of their lives.

De Lucia had controversially stated that "prisons are not exploding only because the inmates do not want them to explode" and that "control belongs only to criminal organizations that want things to stay as they are." He further described a complex situation with inter-prison communications and overcrowding, noting a lack of adequate support for inmates, many of whom are drug addicts.

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Prisons are not exploding only because the inmates do not want them to explode, control belongs only to criminal organizations that want things to stay as they are.

Nordio emphasized that such statements hinder the "atmosphere of loyal collaboration" the ministry is fostering with judicial bodies. He also addressed De Lucia's comments on security in Palermo, where recent violence has raised concerns. While acknowledging the pragmatic use of military patrols in other countries, Nordio insisted it cannot be an excuse for inadequate policing.

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This is not the best way to create that atmosphere of loyal collaboration that we are implementing, with careful discussions with the national anti-mafia prosecutor, the CSM, and the ANM.