Polizia Penitenziaria

The Polizia Penitenziaria (Italian for Penitentiary Police) is a law enforcement agency in Italy.

Coat of arms of the Polizia Penitenziaria.

According to Interpol, this force (part of the Ministry of Justice) has a "nationwide remit for prison security, inmate safety and transportation".[1]

Overview

Subordinate to the Italian Ministry of Justice, the Polizia Penitenziaria operate the Italian prison system as corrections officers. The Vatican City, an independent state, does not have a prison system, so the Vatican sends convicted criminals to the Italian prison system.[2]

The Polizia Penitenziaria was formed in 1990 to replace the former Corpo degli Agenti di Custodia. Professionalization and demilitarization were motives for creating the new organisation.

Europol (the EU's law enforcement agency), provides this summary of the corps' responsibilities:[3]

to "ensure order and security inside and outside the buildings, preventing unauthorized entry or exit. In addition, they manage to organize and educate for inmates, and provide transport, escort and guard services for prisoners. The Corps has its own marine service and dog and horse units. Finally, the Penitentiary Police can be deployed to carry out public order and security functions, including public rescue, in cases where they are required to help provide specific civil protection".

Sport Team

Polizia Penitenziaria has a sport team named Fiamme Azzurre.

Vehicles and Equipment

Motor transport

Its vehicle livery is dark blue with a light blue stripe along the side and Polizia Penitenziaria in white letters under the stripe. Currently use some Lancia Lybra, Alfa Romeo 159 and Iveco Daily.

The registration plates, like other public police forces of Italy, have 'Polizia Penitenziaria in red on the number plate.

Registration plate

Mounted Unit

The Polizia Penitenziaria has a mounted (horses) unit, for police work.

Weapons

The Polizia Penitenziaria are an armed police force, like most Italian police forces and it uses a variety of firearms and weapons for self-defence:

Uniform

As a national, civilian police force, the uniform and insignia is similar to other Italian police forces.[6]

Principally, there are:[7]

  • Ordinary uniform - everyday uniform; blue trousers & blue tunic, white shirt & tie, peaked/bowler caps, pistol holster worn from left bottom pocket flap
  • Service uniform - same as above, but with a beret for males & females, instead of peaked/bowler caps
  • Armed uniform - same as above, but with a belt over the top of the tunic, with pistol and other equipment
  • Operational uniform - training and operations work, outdoor style uniform with beret
  • Public order/riot control uniform - disorder
  • Parade, ceremonial and 'representation services' uniforms - public events, parades, VIP visits etc
  • Marine section uniform - marine work
  • Canine (dog) section uniform - for canine agents
  • Motorcyclist uniform - for motorcycle duties
  • Mounted section uniform[8]

Uniforms are then further split along the lines of:

  • Rank - some uniforms will rarely be worn by more senior officers and the insignia and accompliments on each uniform, will differ according to rank.
  • Season (weather) - e.g. shirt sleeves, polo shirts, capes, coats, etc.

The type of uniform worn depends also on the duty being carried out. E.g. office work, or prison landing work, or armed exterior patrols, or riots, will all require different uniform and equipment.

Notes
  • The aiguillette (lanyard on tunic) changes with the role.[9]
  • For more senior officers (executives, inspectors etc) they carry their individual weapon (pistol) in a special internal holster in black leather, under the flap of the tunic.[10]
  • Polizia Penitenziaria officers.
  • Polizia Penitenziaria boat in Venice.
  • Polizia Penitenziaria Alfa Romeo 159 police car.

See also

References
  1. "Italie". Interpol. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  2. "Is the Vatican a Rogue State?" Spiegel Online. 19 January 2007. Retrieved on 25 August 2010.
  3. "Italy". Europol. 7 March 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  4. https://www.penitenziaria.it/public/foto_carcere/pistola_beretta_penitenziaria_mark.jpg
  5. https://www.polpenuil.it/nostre-note/8087-gestione-gruppo-operativo-mobile-e-sezioni-destinate-ai-detenuti-sottoposti-al-regime-di-cui-all-art-41-bis-o-p.html
  6. https://poliziapenitenziaria.gov.it/polizia-penitenziaria-site/it/uniformi.page
  7. https://poliziapenitenziaria.gov.it/polizia-penitenziaria-site/it/uniformi.page
  8. https://poliziapenitenziaria.gov.it/polizia-penitenziaria-site/it/uniforme.page;jsessionid=AF55ED75B080F9D4624555B5F3AD19CF?contentId=UNF3491
  9. https://poliziapenitenziaria.gov.it/polizia-penitenziaria-site/it/uniforme.page;jsessionid=AF55ED75B080F9D4624555B5F3AD19CF?contentId=UNF3589
  10. https://poliziapenitenziaria.gov.it/polizia-penitenziaria-site/it/uniforme.page;jsessionid=AF55ED75B080F9D4624555B5F3AD19CF?contentId=UNF3368


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