Council of Europe: “Physical and verbal violence against detainees is increasing, even before they reach prison”

Brussels – In Europe, abuse of detainees and prisoners is on the rise, with insults and beatings occurring even before they enter prison. The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) has sounded the alarm: the situation is deteriorating both inside and outside prisons, with Italy coming under scrutiny. The 2025 annual report was drawn up following visits by the delegation from the international organization to prisons in Avellino, Foggia, Florence Sollicciano, Genoa Marassi, and Santa Maria Capua Vetere (Caserta). Although there is no specific country report and no direct references, a general picture is painted that inevitably includes Italy.

 “The Committee for the Prevention of Torture continues to report allegations of physical ill-treatment by
law-enforcement personnel, especially upon apprehension and during informal questioning,” states the over 90-page document. It is noted here that abuses also occur during the pre-trial phase. “Claims of excessive use of force and verbal abuse or insults are also frequently made to
CPT delegations.” From this perspective, the CPT noted “worrying signs across Europe, where ill-treatment has
begun to re-emerge,” contrary to what was recorded in previous years. 

In the report, the committee also expresses “concern regarding pre-trial detention and maximum-security regimes.“ In several countries, prisoners awaiting trial are often confined to their cells for over 22 hours a day, in a situation that can last for months, proving “particularly harmful.” While acknowledging “the challenges posed by organized crime”, the Committee nevertheless emphasizes “the need to ensure adequate safeguards and controls” to prevent maximum security regimes from resulting in de facto isolation and excessive restrictions.

 https://www.eunews.it/2025/05/05/carceri-sovraffollamento-ue-italia/

Unidentifiable officers and the issue of impunity

The resurgence of physical and verbal violence against people in custody is due to a general weakening of safeguards for those who end up in handcuffs and behind bars. The Council of Europe Committee reports that “the effectiveness of a number of oversight mechanisms diminished and
a sense of impunity for abusive actions pervades​.” This has led to new calls for “a means
of visible identification of officers and the establishment of robust complaint mechanisms.” One suggestion is the use of internal video surveillance systems, together with body-worn cameras, as preventive security measures.

Prison overcrowding: a factor that does not help

The phenomenon of physical and verbal violence results from two distinct issues: the loss of institutional control, “combined with inadequate infrastructure.” Essentially, this means that “in
prisons, overcrowding is undermining the operation of these complex establishments and
solutions must be found, otherwise the risk of the wider criminal justice system failing will
increase”. According to the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture, “insufficient staffing, and lack of appropriate training are also major weaknesses,
creating additional pressure on already unstable environments.”

Overcrowding, it is reported, not only compromises the functioning of prisons and potentially exposes individuals to inhuman and degrading treatment, but also encourages criminal activity within the prison,  corrodes staff-prisoner relations, and “increases
the risk of violence, tension, and deterioration in mental health for both prisoners and
staff alike.”

 In this context, the international body further notes, “the renewed willingness of governments in recent years to externalize detention to other countries will be followed with attention.”

In light of this situation, “governments should show political will and take resolute measures to eradicate prison overcrowding and ensure respect for the human dignity of individuals in detention, including appropriate regime, care and living conditions,” said Alan Mitchell, Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture.