Albanian Inmate Escapes Milan's Opera Prison in Daring Fourth Breakout

Daring Escape from Milan Opera Prison

A 41-year-old Albanian inmate, identified as Taulant Toma, successfully escaped from the Milan Opera Reclusion House (Opera Prison) during the night of December 6th/7th, 2025. Toma, who was serving a sentence scheduled to end in 2048, reportedly executed a method often seen in films: sawing through the bars of his cell window and then using knotted sheets to scale down the prison wall.

The alarm was raised around 08:00 AM on Sunday, December 7th, when prison guards discovered his absence during a routine check. Law enforcement agencies have since launched an extensive manhunt for the fugitive across Italy.

A History of Escapes

This latest incident marks at least the fourth escape for Taulant Toma, who has been dubbed a 'king of escapes' by some media outlets. His criminal record includes convictions for robbery, theft, and drug trafficking. Previous successful breakouts attributed to Toma include:

• From Terni prison in 2009
• From Parma prison in February 2013
• From Lantin prison near Liege, Belgium, in December 2013

His repeated ability to evade custody has raised questions about prison security protocols.

Prison Conditions Under Scrutiny

The escape has brought renewed attention to the conditions within Italian correctional facilities, particularly the Milan Opera Prison. Gennarino De Fazio, general secretary of the Uilpa Penitentiary Police, issued a statement highlighting significant issues at the institution.

According to De Fazio, the Opera Prison, a large facility completed in 1980, is severely overcrowded, housing 1,338 inmates in a space designed for 918, representing a 153% overcrowding rate. Furthermore, the prison is reportedly understaffed, with only 533 officers managing the inmate population when at least 811 are deemed necessary.

De Fazio stated that this incident 'further confirms the failure of prison policies implemented by governments over at least the last 25 years,' emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and concrete plan for security in penitentiary institutions.

Ongoing Investigation

Investigators are currently reviewing security camera footage to meticulously reconstruct Toma's movements during the escape. Authorities are also examining the possibility of external complicity in his breakout. The Penitentiary Police and other law enforcement agencies are actively engaged in the search for Toma.