Order of the Surveillance Judge in Vercelli of 18 April 2012

Law No. 354 of 1975, containing norms on the penitentiary system, gives to the surveillance judges the power to impose upon prison authorities measures for putting an end to violations of the rights of persons in prison. Under the Law, however, the surveillance judges have not the power to decide on claims for indemnification brought by these persons; and this power might not be inferred by means of interpretation. For this reason, the surveillance judge in Vercelli stated that the claim brought by a person who had been detained in the prison of Reggio Emilia and than in the prison of Piacenza, and there subjected to ill treatment contrary to Article 3 of the ECHR, was inadmissible.