In a statement issued late Tuesday, the ministry said that 10,105 prisoners are “potentially eligible” for alternative measures such as house arrest or probation, according to Reuters.

Italy may release as many as 10,000 inmates—approximately 15% of its prison population—in a bid to tackle chronic overcrowding in its detention facilities, the Justice Ministry has announced.

In a statement issued late Tuesday, the ministry said that 10,105 prisoners are “potentially eligible” for alternative measures such as house arrest or probation, according to Reuters.

Eligibility is limited to inmates whose convictions are final and no longer subject to appeal, who have less than two years remaining on their sentences, and who have no serious disciplinary offences in the past 12 months.

The ministry emphasised that prisoners convicted of serious crimes—including terrorism, organised crime, rape, human trafficking, and kidnapping—will be excluded from consideration.

Italy has one of the worst prison overcrowding records in Europe, with an occupancy level of about 122%, according to the World Prison Brief database.

Levels above 100% indicate prisons are operating beyond their official capacity. Only Cyprus, France, and Turkey fare worse in Europe in terms of overcrowding.

The dire situation has drawn increased public scrutiny amid a surge in prison suicides and growing complaints about suffocating summer heat in facilities lacking air conditioning.

Despite the urgent need to alleviate overcrowding, early prisoner releases remain politically sensitive in Italy, where public sentiment can be wary of leniency toward criminals. The Justice Ministry clarified that any releases would not occur immediately.

A task force has been established to coordinate with prisons and parole judges to examine individual cases. The team will meet weekly and is expected to deliver its initial report by September.