A former Adelaide prison employee has been found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a female inmate, concluding a tense four‑day trial that exposed shocking breaches of trust inside South Australia’s correctional system. The 12‑person jury delivered unanimous guilty verdicts against 67‑year‑old Enio Screpanti after just over two hours of deliberation, rejecting his claims of innocence over offences committed in the early 2020s.
Screpanti’s family became visibly emotional as the verdicts were read aloud, marking a dramatic end to a case that has shaken the prison community. Prosecutor Christine Hanna immediately sought to have Screpanti’s bail revoked, arguing that the seriousness of the crimes demanded immediate custody. Defence barrister Gilbert Aitken opposed the move, but Judge Anne Barnett ruled that remand was appropriate and ordered Screpanti back into custody.
During the trial, jurors heard disturbing evidence, including allegations that Screpanti sexually assaulted the inmate while she was on a treadmill in the prison gym. Months later, he allegedly lured her to a shed under the guise of a work task before raping her. Hanna described the victim as a “credible and reliable witness,” urging jurors to consider the consistency of her account.
The court also heard testimony from convicted murderer and fellow inmate Nicole McGuinness, whose evidence relating to uncharged acts — was admitted to provide context to Screpanti’s behaviour. Hanna told jurors the additional testimony helped illustrate that the charged offences “did not come out of the blue,” reinforcing the prosecution’s case.
As Screpanti awaits sentencing, the verdict has intensified scrutiny of staff conduct and inmate safety within South Australia’s correctional facilities, raising broader questions about oversight and accountability.
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