Italy considers early release for up to 10,000 prisoners to alleviate overcrowding

Italy’s Justice Ministry has announced plans to potentially release around 10,000 inmates—approximately 15% of the country's prison population—in an effort to tackle severe overcrowding in detention centres.

According to the ministry, 10,105 prisoners could be eligible for alternative sentences such as house arrest or probation, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign ministry.

Eligibility criteria include having a final conviction with no further appeals, fewer than two years remaining on their sentences, and a clean disciplinary record over the past year.

However, individuals convicted of serious offences, including terrorism, organised crime, rape, migrant trafficking, and kidnapping, will be excluded from this measure.

Italy faces one of the highest rates of prison overcrowding in Europe, with facilities operating at roughly 122% capacity, according to the World Prison Brief. Only Cyprus, France, and Türkiye report higher occupancy rates on the continent.

Concerns over prisoner welfare have intensified following an increase in suicides and complaints about extreme summer heat in prisons lacking air conditioning.

While the government acknowledges the urgency of easing pressure on the penal system, it emphasises that early releases will be carefully managed.

A dedicated taskforce has been established to coordinate with prisons and parole judges to assess cases on an individual basis. This group will convene weekly and provide progress updates by September.

By Aghakazim Guliyev