Tension at Pisa prison as Albanian inmates clash with guards over alleged surveillance

A tense incident was reported yesterday evening, September 30, at Don Bosco prison in Pisa, Italy. Around 40 inmates, including Albanian nationals, gathered in one section of the facility and demanded to meet the commander of the prison police and the prison director.

According to reports by Italian media, the protest erupted after several inmates said they had found surveillance microphones and other electronic devices in their cells, allegedly installed for investigative purposes. They objected to the monitoring and demanded to be able to communicate in their cells without being overheard or recorded.

The incident was livestreamed on TikTok by one of the inmates, even though the use of phones is prohibited in prisons. People can be heard speaking both Italian and Albanian in the video, while the situation appears tense. During the livestream, one of them says: “The journalists should be there; they’ll beat the guys badly,” while another is heard using an Albanian insult: “F*** your sister.”

During the video, the inmates said that prison management had previously removed them from their cells. After they returned, they claimed to have noticed microphones and other concealed electronic devices. According to their accounts, they were also struck with rubber batons during the clash with officers.

The clashes began at around 7:00 p.m. and continued for several hours. Ambulances were also sent to the prison after incidents were reported between inmates and police officers. Meanwhile, police, Carabinieri and prison police forces were deployed outside the facility.

Italian authorities are expected to clarify the circumstances of the incident and determine whether the alleged surveillance devices had been placed in the cells as part of an investigation.