A new prison governor in Sicily is trying to require that incarcerated prisoners turn in their Gucci suits when they are thrown behind bars.
Rita Barbera recently assumed the job of Ucciardone jail in Palermo and is looking to set new rules in the notoriously lax prison. Italian prisoners are not required to wear state-issued uniforms but Ms. Barbera wants to put an end to the status flaunting that takes place when wealthier prisoners don flashy designer clothes and jewelry.
Many of Ucciardone’s inmates are members of the Cosa Nostra mafia, and Ms. Barbera believes that allowing expensive clothing behind bars only reinforces the power enjoyed by the convicted Mafioso.
"We need to eliminate disparities between prisoners, which has been expressed through exhibitions of status, power and economic supremacy,” Ms. Barbera announced.
The new rules are not sitting well with prisoners or their families. One woman claimed her husband would have to go naked because he only has designer clothes, which he wears for the superior quality rather than for the bragging rights.
