‘Freedom to choose sets a global precedent.’ This is how children and women escape from mafia environments

‘Let’s name the Bruscas, the Messina Denaros and the De Stefanos. Just to name a few. They’ve been the same families for over a century, always the same surnames: first I put the fathers on trial, then the sons,” says Di Bella, who has co-authored a book with Monica Zapelli for Rizzoli entitled *Liberi di scegliere* (*Free to Choose*). ‘It was necessary to break the cycle of “generational continuity”, the Mafia indoctrination that takes place within many families.’

Substantial funding is now available to support the new law – 10 million a year: women can relocate and receive accommodation, maintenance payments and, above all, change their surname, with cover documents to help them find work. The third sector, and the Libera association in particular – which has always been involved in the programme – will stand by their side. ‘In many cases, it is important to protect mothers who risk being tracked down, whilst a new surname can safeguard their identity. These measures,’ explains Roberto Di Bella, ‘apply to those who cannot enter protection programmes, which are instead intended for those who make relevant statements to the judicial authorities. There is no equivalence. In the case of ‘Liberi di scegliere’, it is sufficient to express a desire to break free from criminal circles, without any procedural benefit for the State.”

This, however, was the case for Lea Garofalo and her daughter Denise, who recently took her own life, overwhelmed by unbearable grief: Lea, originally from Petilia Policastro, a victim of the ‘ndrangheta and a witness for the prosecution, was excluded in 2006 – along with her daughter – from the government protection programme she had been part of for a few years after making important statements about her own family and that of her partner. Thanks to the support of Libera’s legal team and lawyer Enza Rando, she was subsequently reinstated under protection for a brief period, only to finally abandon her difficult exile after about a year. From Carlo Cosco’s confession, we know how events unfolded on 24 November 2009. The witness protection programme, as highlighted by the national association representing its participants, has many shortcomings. Essentially, they are asking not to be forgotten, and for more support and security. They are awaiting a meeting with the Under-Secretary of State for the Interior, Nicola Molteni.

‘At a certain point, we realised that Article 41 bis alone was not enough to combat the Mafia. We had to trace the phenomenon back to its origins, transforming the problem into a social and cultural issue. We need radical changes in education and new social, emotional and psychological horizons,” concludes the president of the Juvenile Court of Catania, to whom Rai has dedicated a film, starring Alessandro Preziosi in his role. We need a genuine alternative for those facing imprisonment, bereavement and certain life on the run. So often, the most loving fathers, from their prison cells, express their gratitude.”