Two inmates incarcerated in the mental health unit (Atsm) of Ascoli Piceno prison ignited a mattress and barricaded themselves inside a cell early Thursday morning. While the detainees were safely extracted, eight correctional officers sustained smoke inhalation injuries and required emergency medical treatment. The blaze rapidly engulfed the unit, with firefighters taking two hours to fully extinguish the flames.
The incident was disclosed by the Autonomous Penitentiary Police Union (Sappe), with provincial secretary Donatello Di Marzio confirming the inmates possessed contraband—including lighters and makeshift weapons. Sappe has urgently demanded the permanent closure of the Atsm facility, citing critical security failures. Investigations into how prohibited items entered the high-security unit are underway.