ROME - Italian Minister of Justice Annamaria Cancellieri has stated that planned prison reforms could affect up to 20,000 inmates, but that Silvio Berlusconi will be excluded from any pardon.

 

The Minister of Justice spoke in an interview with Radio24 to discuss questions about President Napolitano's proposal to grant amnesty to convicts of minor offences. The planned reforms come amid a decision issued by the European Court of Human Rights ordering Italy to address its overcrowded prison system, which is 40 percent over capacity. Minister Cancelliere expressed that the country will resolve its prison problems in respect to the May deadline given by the international court.

 

The minister also explained that the prison reforms will not just involve granting amnesty, but will also attempt to reform civil processes and accelerate trials. She stated that reform efforts may be able to reach up to "20,000 detainees." She asserted that "murderers, rapists, and thieves" will not be granted amnesty, and when asked if Silvio Berlusconi will be pardoned, she responded "I think not."

 

Minister Cancelliere stated that she believes the reforms will begin over the next "month or two," but that the decision remains in the hands of Parliament. Meanwhile, members of Italy's 5-Star MoVement have presented an alternative plan to "save the prisons." Their plan will avoid granting amnesty to any prisoner and will institute a barricade against new measures to eliminate the crime of illegal immigration.