Regina Coeli (prison)

The Regina Coeli prison is the central and most famous prison in the Italian capital Rome. It is located in Via della Lungara 29 in Trastevere.

History

The approximately a kilometer southeast of St Peter's between the Tiber and the Janiculum Hill prison was located 1643-1654 under Urban VIII and Innocent X as a convent for Discalced Carmelites. The name refers to the Marian title Regina Coeli. 1810 Napoleonic troops confiscated the Convention in 1814 were free to return the Carmelites. From 1873 the Italian government built the convent to a prison, which was officially put into service in 1881 and was also home to a school for aspiring jailer. However, the renovation and expansion work under Carlo Morgini dragged on until 1900, with the neighboring convent of Santa Maria della Visitation integrated and referred to the Le Mantellate women's prison was rebuilt. 1902, the initial forensic school in Italy was founded, which was housed until 1920 in the Regina Coeli prison. During Fascism several opposition figures were imprisoned in Regina Coeli. Even at that time it was planned to the resolution of the outmoded prison which has been modernized in the course to some extent. 1972 was opened in the district Rebibbia a modern prison, but could not give up the capacities of Regina Coeli today.

Occupancy

The Regina Coeli prison has a total capacity of 750 inmates,. In 2013, the average occupancy was 1,050 inmates, which was significantly above the regular prisoner capacity. This corresponds to the national situation. Repeated protests by prisoners and politicians as well as complaints made by the EU, the Italian government in 2013 moved to expand the inmate capacity of the country.

Others

  • In recent decades, several popes visited the Regina Coeli prison. Caused a sensation in the first visit of Pope John XXIII. December 26, 1958, which thus established a new tradition. Paul VI. visited the detainees in 1964, John Paul II followed in 2000 and Benedict XVI. , 2011.
  • The Janiculum hill, at the foot of the prison is offering, because of the small distance to some cells the opportunity outside of visiting hours by acclamation make contact between detainees and their relatives. For a long time this practice has been tolerated by the prison officer and was therefore a tourist attraction equal. Often men offered with appropriate voice against payment for the shouts. About a particularly convenient location cell, the notifications were subsequently forwarded to other inmates.

Prominent detainees

Polizia Penitenziaria Ernesto Rossi (politician) Ventotene Manifesto
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