The escalation of critical events that have recently been characterising the Reggio Calabria Arghillà District Prison. An inmate of Apulian origins, known for his unruly attitude in various institutions on the peninsula, around 9.30 pm on 17 July last set fire to the mattress placed inside his sleeping room; confined in the Demetra detention section, a section used for isolation, for trivial reasons he started the fire, which immediately spread.
Two prison police officers immediately rushed to the scene and, using the fire extinguisher, put out the flames while the other police officer took care of rescuing the other prisoners confined in the detention section which was now filled with smoke, putting their own safety at risk. They immediately took care of rescuing the subversive prisoner himself who continued with his oppositional and rebellious attitude despite the dramatic situation”. The news was reported by the Deputy Secretary General of the Federation of Autonomous Trade Unions CNPP Domenico Pelliccia who commented on the incident as follows: “The flames spread immediately, with the help of the fire extinguishers, the fire was put out and all the prisoners present, thanks to the two police officers on duty, were led to the walkways! Only thanks to the timely intervention of the prison police personnel, was the occurrence of harmful consequences prevented”. “We cannot remain silent in the face of events like this; the dramatic situation in which the Arghillà Penitentiary finds itself continues and materializes in continuous critical events towards the Penitentiary Police personnel who, in addition to the extreme work sacrifices, put their personal safety at risk! A dutiful thanks goes to the colleagues who, despite the danger, avoided the worst by then having to resort to treatment at the city Emergency Room and thus being discharged with a 10-day prognosis for smoke intoxication” – continues Pelliccia – “I regret what happened” – concludes the unionist – I express great solidarity with the colleagues and I congratulate them for having intervened with competence and great professionalism with the hope that the Administration will also be able to recognize the merits that are due to them by putting forward a proposal for compensation”. The CNPP loudly asks the Administration not to stand by and watch the sacrifice of its police officers!”