The Parma penitentiary — where some of the worst Italian criminals are held — is currently under investigation for worrisome cases of beatings on detainees. In one case, eight men are being investigated for the severe abuse of an inmate of Moroccan descent, Rachid Assarag, perpetuated between 2010 and 2011.

Assarag was condemned for the grave crime of sexual violence against two young women, which may have been the reason for his mistreatment at the hands of the penitentiary police. He secretly recorded some penitentiary guards as well as the prison's doctor talking about what happened and trying to dissuade him from denouncing it.

'This is how it works'

"I've beaten many detainees, I cannot remember if you were one of them," said the penitentiary guard who allegedly took part in Assarag's beatings.

"This is how it works inside prisons," answered the penitentiary's psychologist, when Assarag complained about the beatings he had been subjected to. "I doubt you can do anything to change it."

These recorded declarations were acquired by Assarag's attorney, and an investigation has been initiated. Assarag's lawyer, Fabio Anselmo, who specializes in cases of mistreatment of persons in custody and has already represented the families of Federico Aldrovandi and Stefano Cucchi, declared:

"In the Parma penitentiary, detainees were systematically subjected to violent treatment at the hands of penitentiary guards who never had to take responsibility for this, as they were covered by the failed system of custody and care, wherein medics are also forced to stay silent to avoid repercussions."

This case certainly offers a worrisome picture of the state of the Italian penitentiary system and needs to be adequately investigated and addressed.

Read more about prison abuse in Italy here and here (in Italian).