Cell diary

A Facebook diary clearly describes what happens inside prison. The profile is that of Gianni Alemanno, an Italian politician serving his sentence.

I won't delve into the individual, his political role, or the reasons that landed him in prison. What I'm interested in highlighting is the account he, as a prisoner, shares of his daily life. The problems and urgent needs often highlighted when discussing detention are embodied in his words. A careful and timely reporter, he offers us a glimpse into a world, a place where human dignity is too often disregarded. Dilapidated and unsafe places continue to house men of diverse cultures and nationalities in increasingly crowded cells.

From Rebibbia prison, on his 292nd day of detention, Alemanno denounces the serious deterioration of the prison situation in Italy, and particularly in Rome. The collapse of part of the roof of Regina Coeli prison forced the transfer of approximately 300 inmates, many of whom were sent to the already overcrowded Rebibbia prison. Cells were filled beyond capacity, common areas were transformed into dormitories, and the security staff remained unchanged. Tensions, hardship, and degradation grew, while the few functioning re-education and employment programs were dismantled.

A symbol of this destruction is Luca, inmate and coordinator of the pizzeria in Rebibbia's G8 unit: a virtuous prison entrepreneurship project that provides employment and training to many inmates. Despite being respected by everyone and committed to university and reintegration programs, Luca was suddenly transferred to another prison for an old disciplinary incident, pretextedly used as a "security" reason. His removal jeopardized the entire pizzeria project and, according to Alemanno, represents the defeat of the rhetoric of work as a tool for re-education and redemption. He concludes by denouncing the hypocrisy of the institutions and politicians he praised, stating that overcrowding and poor prison management are erasing the few hopes of recovery for inmates.

What's truly surprising is that the timely complaints posted on social media aren't picked up by mainstream media, by those who have the power to truly change the situation. We can't turn a blind eye to what happens every day in Italian penitentiaries.

Chiara Genisio
NP November 2025