Prison boss keeps job after killer's escape
Prison director Salvatore Mazzeo has returned to his post in the Marassi jail in Genoa less than a month after serial killer Bartolomeo Gagliano escaped.
The Minister of Justice, Anna Maria Cancellieri, had originally planned to remove Mazzeo from his post following what she called “some reckless statements” on his part, Genova Today reported.
Serial killer Bartolomeo Gagliano escaped from the prison last month by hijacking a van after a visit to his mother, having been granted temporary leave for good behaviour. He was found and arrested two days later on the French Riviera.
READ MORE HERE: Italian serial killer caught in France
Speaking at the time, Mazzeo initially said prison staff did not know Gagliano was a convicted murderer
“We did not know he had this criminal history, for us he was a robber,” he told La Stampa.
Prisoners at the jail had announced plans to go on hunger strike following the news Mazzeo was to be transferred, and are reported to have been celebrating the change of plan.
“I'm grateful to the Minister,” said Mazzeo. “Because I am a worker, and I wouldn't have wanted a different role, but also because I have thousands of projects to see through to the end, such as a theatre, a green area where children can see their parents who are in the jail, and a laboratory for creating ecological cleaning products.”
A disciplinary procedure will still take place, organised by the Italian Department of Prison Administration (DAP).
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The Minister of Justice, Anna Maria Cancellieri, had originally planned to remove Mazzeo from his post following what she called “some reckless statements” on his part, Genova Today reported.
Serial killer Bartolomeo Gagliano escaped from the prison last month by hijacking a van after a visit to his mother, having been granted temporary leave for good behaviour. He was found and arrested two days later on the French Riviera.
READ MORE HERE: Italian serial killer caught in France
Speaking at the time, Mazzeo initially said prison staff did not know Gagliano was a convicted murderer
“We did not know he had this criminal history, for us he was a robber,” he told La Stampa.
Prisoners at the jail had announced plans to go on hunger strike following the news Mazzeo was to be transferred, and are reported to have been celebrating the change of plan.
“I'm grateful to the Minister,” said Mazzeo. “Because I am a worker, and I wouldn't have wanted a different role, but also because I have thousands of projects to see through to the end, such as a theatre, a green area where children can see their parents who are in the jail, and a laboratory for creating ecological cleaning products.”
A disciplinary procedure will still take place, organised by the Italian Department of Prison Administration (DAP).
Don't miss a story about Italy - Join us on Facebook and Twitter.
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