Forbits near the genitals and beatings, torture in the juvenile prison of Casal del Marmo: three officers suspended
Twelve minors aged between 15 and 19 have been identified as victims of abuse and humiliation at the juvenile detention center in Casal del Marmo, Rome. The Italian judiciary has ordered the suspension of three police officers for one year due to alleged torture and misconduct. The incidents were documented through witness accounts, medical reports, surveillance footage, service reports, and complaints. One victim described being threatened with scissors near his genitals before being beaten. Ten officers are under investigation, with two accused of torture, five of assault, and three of false testimony. The judge characterized the behavior as 'incongruous, uncivil, and criminal,' stating such actions cannot be justified by the poor conditions of the facility. The organization Antigone, which had previously filed a complaint, announced it would act as a civil party, calling for immediate institutional reforms and highlighting concerns over the transformation of juvenile justice under recent government policies.
Three police officers from the Penitenziaria were suspended from duty for one year following an investigation by Rome’s prosecutors into alleged torture and violence against minors held at the Casal del Marmo juvenile detention facility. Twelve boys aged between 15 and 19, mostly Egyptian nationals, have been identified as victims of abuse and humiliation within the institution. The suspension was ordered by a judge handling preliminary investigations, who cited the risk of repeated offenses as justification for the measure. The ruling, issued on August 17, follows testimony collected through twelve incidents, including medical reports, video footage from internal cameras, service records, and formal complaints. The abuse reportedly included physical assaults, verbal threats, and degrading treatment. One boy described being forced to undress and threatened with scissors near his genitals before being beaten with kicks and punches. The accused officers were given nicknames such as “Boxer,” “Animal,” “Sheriff,” and “Shrek” by the youths they targeted. These names appear in official documents alongside detailed accounts of the misconduct. The abuse allegedly took place during nighttime hours in areas of the facility not monitored by surveillance cameras, according to investigators. The probe involves ten officers in total, with two charged with torture, five with assault, and three with false statements. The judge characterized the behavior as “inappropriate, rude, and criminal,” emphasizing that such actions could not be justified by the poor conditions of the juvenile prison. The cases stem from multiple incidents documented over time, with some involving attacks even after the victims had fallen to the ground, including inside the infirmary. Threats were also made, with one officer reportedly shouting at detainees: “I’ll bring them up and make them like minced meat.” The association Antigone has responded strongly, noting that its concerns about the situation date back to July 2025, when it filed a complaint with the prosecutor’s office and alerted the Department for Juvenile Justice and Communities. The group claims the findings reveal an unprecedented level of severity and announced plans to file a civil suit. “If a judge concludes that minors have been tortured, the response must go beyond suspending individual officers and waiting for trial,” stated President Patrizio Gonnella. He called for immediate action to improve conditions in juvenile prisons, address staff working conditions, enhance training, and reform mechanisms of oversight. Additionally, he criticized recent government reforms, which he argues have shifted the juvenile justice system toward increased incarceration and repression. Antigone has urged urgent parliamentary debate on life within juvenile detention centers and invited the Roman mayor, the Ministry of Justice, and rights watchdogs to consider taking legal action on behalf of the victims. The organization highlights systemic issues, suggesting that the current approach risks normalizing punitive measures against young offenders. It emphasizes the need for broader institutional change rather than focusing solely on individual accountability. The case continues to draw attention to the challenges faced by youth in Italy’s correctional system and raises questions about the effectiveness of existing safeguards.
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Twelve minors aged between 15 and 19 have been identified as victims of abuse and humiliation at the juvenile detention center in Casal del Marmo, Rome. The Italian judiciary has ordered the suspension of three police officers for one year due to alleged torture and misconduct. The incidents were documented through witness accounts, medical reports, surveillance footage, service reports, and complaints. One victim described being threatened with scissors near his genitals before being beaten. Ten officers are under investigation, with two accused of torture, five of assault, and three of false testimony. The judge characterized the behavior as 'incongruous, uncivil, and criminal,' stating such actions cannot be justified by the poor conditions of the facility. The organization Antigone, which had previously filed a complaint, announced it would act as a civil party, calling for immediate institutional reforms and highlighting concerns over the transformation of juvenile justice under recent government policies.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue as a systemic failure within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing the role of government policy (specifically referencing reforms introduced by the Meloni government). It highlights the severity of the situation and calls for broader institutional changes, suggesting
Why factuality (98): The article accurately reports the allegations of torture and violence against minors at Casal del Marmo, citing the gip’s order suspending three agents, the involvement of ten officers under investigation, and the direct testimonies of victims. It includes specific details like the use of forceps n
Why objectivity (94): The article presents the facts neutrally but leans slightly toward emphasizing the severity of the abuse through phrases like 'pestaggi, minacce, umiliazioni e torture.' However, it avoids overt bias and provides multiple sources including medical records and surveillance footage.
Three agents from the Italian Penitenziaria (Prison Service) have been suspended from duty for one year following an investigation by Rome’s prosecutors into alleged torture and violence at the juvenile detention facility in Casal del Marmo. The inquiry revealed that twelve minors, mostly foreign nationals aged between 15 and 19, were victims of systematic abuse, including punches, kicks, and attacks with metal objects. Some incidents occurred at night in areas not covered by surveillance cameras, and in some cases, officers reportedly continued to assault detainees even after they had fallen to the ground, including within the infirmary. One officer allegedly threatened detainees with severe harm, saying, 'I’ll bring them up and make them like minced meat.' The case was initially reported by the organization Antigone, which had previously filed a complaint with the Department for Juvenile Justice and Communities.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of an ongoing judicial investigation into allegations of systemic abuse within a juvenile detention center. It reports on the actions taken by authorities, including the suspension of three officers, and includes quotes from both the investigating body and the绋
Why factuality (95): The article accurately summarizes the allegations of torture and violence against minors at Casal del Marmo, mentioning the suspension of three agents and the involvement of ten officers under investigation. It references Antigone’s prior reporting and the nature of the alleged abuses. However, it l
Why objectivity (92): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone but uses emotionally charged terms like 'torture' and 'violence,' which may influence reader perception. It also emphasizes the role of Antigone in raising awareness, which could subtly frame the issue as an activist concern rather than purely a legal
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