Footage has leaked of Italian prison guards routinely hitting and kicking inmates.

The footage was filmed at the Santa Maria Capua Vetere ‘Francesco Uccella’ Remand Prison in the province of Caserta in the southern Italian region of Campania, and dates back to 6th April last year.

The footage shows guards apparently slapping, kicking, and using batons indiscriminately on inmates.

An official who is part of the preliminary investigation said that hours of footage showed “shameful” violence.

In the footage, the guards apparently carried out routine beatings in multiple locations in the prison, including corridors, cells, and a social room.

The prisoners cower and appear weary when made to walk past rows of guards with batons in hand, often using their arms to protect their heads from the blows.

As seen in the video, the violence included head blows, hits on the back and the nape of the neck, and kicking. Sometimes multiple guards lash out at a single inmate at the same time.

The ongoing investigation has already led to 52 precautionary measures as well as prison officials being accused of torture, mistreatment, and inflicting injury. Some executives are also being investigated for aiding and abetting.

The probe continues.