A recent report from the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) reveals the deplorable conditions in Italy’s pre-removal centres. The rights body highlights both the disrespect of detainees fundamental rights, as well as abysmal detention conditions, and raises concerns regarding Italy’s detention deal with Albania.
The CPT’s Report on its Visit to Italy’s CPRs
In December, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) published a report on its April 2024 visit to four of Italy’s main pre-removal centres (Centri di Permanenza per il Rimpatrio or CPRs). The report focused on the treatment and conditions of detention in the CPRs of Milan (Via Corelli), Gradisca d’Isonzo, Potenza (Palazzo San Gervasio), and Rome (Ponte Galeria). Amongst a host of concerns identified by the rights body, the CPT highlighted poor material conditions, an excessive focus on security, inconsistent healthcare service quality, over-medication of detainees with psychotropic drugs, poor quality food, limited legal safeguards, and minimal transparency in the management of CPRs by private contractors.