by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interview: Antonella Nappi, member of the Trieste Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Family Health Services
The Comitato di Partecipazione per i Consultori Familiari di Trieste (Trieste Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Family Health Services) has raised formal concerns over the healthcare conditions of women detained at the Casa Circondariale of Trieste, known as Coroneo prison, following the retirement of the facility’s gynaecologist more than one year ago. The position has yet to be filled.
The committee reports that the gynaecologist previously assigned through the local family health clinic (Consultorio familiare) had been the primary provider of gynaecological care for female inmates. Since her retirement, no replacement has been appointed.
The prison currently holds approximately 240 detainees against a certified capacity of 140. Approximately 30 of those detained are women, many described as very young. Half of the female inmates are foreign nationals, raising additional concerns about access to linguistic and cultural mediation services.
According to the committee’s statement, questions remain unanswered regarding whether female inmates have access to oncological screening programmes — specifically Pap tests, mammography, and colorectal cancer screening — as well as mental health services, addiction treatment, and adequate spaces for visits by young children.
The committee references the Italian Constitution, which assigns a rehabilitative function to imprisonment, and argues that healthcare provision in detention must be strengthened in both staffing and infrastructure.
The group calls on the relevant authorities to reinstate gynaecological coverage through the Consultorio familiare, reduce overcrowding through alternative sentencing measures, and formally recognise the specific health vulnerabilities of women in detention, including needs related to maternity.
