A prison in central Italy has taken a step towards giving inmates a basic human right: intimate time with their partners. The Umbria region prison introduced “sex rooms” last Friday, allowing prisoners to have private time with their loved ones. This move follows a constitutional court ruling that prisoners have the right to a private life with their partners. One male inmate was allowed to meet his girlfriend in the special area, marking the first time such a facility has been used in Italy. The court’s decision, released in January 2024, stated that prisoners should be able to have private meetings with spouses or long-term partners without being watched. Many European countries, including France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden, already allow this. The Italian justice ministry set guidelines, saying prisoners who get this privilege should have access to a room with a bed and bathroom. They can stay up to two hours, but the door must stay unlocked. Italy’s prisons are overcrowded, holding over 62,000 inmates, which is nearly 21% more than they can handle. The number of prisoners taking their own lives is also rising. Prison overseer Giuseppe Caforio said he was pleased with how the first meeting went and that more are planned. He stressed the importance of privacy for those involved. The new sex rooms aim to give prisoners a small slice of normal life.
Prison Reform Takes a Step Forward
The introduction of sex rooms is part of a broader effort to improve prison conditions. Overcrowding and poor living conditions have long been issues in Italy’s prisons. The justice ministry’s guidelines aim to balance the need for prisoner privacy with security concerns. While some may question the decision to allow intimate visits, others see it as a necessary step towards humane treatment. The success of this initiative could pave the way for further reforms. As Caforio noted, the first meeting went smoothly, and more are scheduled. This development is worth watching as Italy continues to address its prison system’s challenges.
Source: Reuters
