Posted on 08/05/2006 6:01:59 PM PDT by blam
Italian prisoners freed in amnesty go on the rampage
Nick Pisa in Rome
(Filed: 06/08/2006)
An amnesty that freed more than 5,000 inmates from Italian jails backfired when dozens of the former prisoners reoffended - and were back behind bars within hours.
The early release scheme, which cuts sentences by three years, was introduced to reduce overcrowding of the prison system which has more than 62,000 inmates - 20,000 more than it can handle.
Although convictions for Mafia-related crimes, terrorism, rape, paedophilia and people-smuggling are exempt, more than 12,000 prisoners will be released in the next few weeks. But within hours of jail doors being opened dozens of people re-offended.
The most serious case was in the northern city of Udine where plumber Piero Melis, 53, was released early from an eight-month sentence for attacking his wife Carla - only to be rearrested less than six hours later after allegedly trying to strangle her.
There have been dozens of similar incidents. In Sardinia, Massimiliano Formula, 32, and Raimondo Muntoni, 28, were arrested after getting drunk and smashing up a bar in Nouro. Officers called to calm them were attacked before both were back in custody accused of assault, damage and resisting arrest.
In Genoa, Milan, Palermo, Rome and Trieste, former prisoners were involved in crimes ranging from assault, breaking and entering, attempted car theft and armed robbery. There were also fears that many foreign inmates released could have Islamic terrorist links.
Opposition MPs have questioned the amnesty, with one Right-wing Alleanza Nazionale member, Antonio Mazzocchi, saying: "Serious countries build more prisons rather than release inmates. All those who have reoffended should be sent to the homes of MPs who voted for this appalling measure.'' But the justice minister, Clemente Mastella, was unperturbed, saying: "What I would ask those people being released is that they try to behave responsibly. This is simply a noble gesture of clemency and no emergency or threat has been created... The prospect that some would reoffend was always considered and anticipated but it is of no cause for concern.''
Perfect example of the Leftist "Surrender Now" mentality in action.
Did Mike Dukakas consult on this initiative?
"In declining states the leadership intuitively choses the most harmful course of action,,," - A Great Historian 1888.
"There were also fears that many foreign inmates released could have Islamic terrorist ties...."Considering the lack of success with this amnesty so far,i'd consider that highly possible.Maybe a background check prior to relaese would have been appropriate?
The best way to reduce prison over-crowding is not by releasing the "safest" prisoners, but by executing the most dangerous. Clean out the cesspools.
Wow, they have only 62,000 prisoners in Italy
Bring back Berloscuni before it's too late...and Orianna Fallaci at his side.
OMG!! LIBERALS. Nuff said!!!!!!!
Just ask the wife of that guy who immediately tried to strangle her.
Or does this just sound like a line from a Twilight Zone episode I faintly recall?
Hey, I got an idea lets forgive and amnesty 12 million illegals of 31 specific crimes. what an idea!
"The early release scheme, which cuts sentences by three years, was introduced to reduce overcrowding of the prison system which has more than 62,000 inmates - 20,000 more than it can handle."
If the prisons are too small to house all these scum - they should bring back hanging.
Blame the EU and their anti-death sentence philosophy as well as the allies after the WW2 in lacking forsight when they required Germany and Italy to stop executions.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.