The voices of the operators

More resources and customised strategies for effective prisoner reintegration

The reintegration process of those serving alternative measures to prison must also be promoted

by Camilla Curcio

3 July 2025

4' min read

Key points

More resources to education
Alternative measures
The role of the Third Sector

4' min read

If social reintegration and zero recidivism evidently pass through reintegration paths that leverage on education, training and employment, in reality there is still a long way to go to translate good intentions into effective projects.

"In Italy we are unfortunately far behind because the prison still manages to do very little concretely," explains Alessio Scandurra, coordinator of the Antigone association's observatory on prisoners' conditions. "With respect to professional training, for example, the numbers are modest and the initiatives uneven: sometimes they are structured according to the availability of the territory, so they return a greater spendability. But often this does not happen and the return is meagre'.

On the other hand, as regards the start to work, thus linked to the opportunities that, from prison rooms, can then be converted for prisoners into more or less stable chances once they have served their sentence, the picture becomes more varied. The actors at play are different, as is the output.

"If we put aside the great mass of prison labour, which remains unskilled and is mostly conceived as a form of welfare, then there are other opportunities, for example in the prison administration, from making furniture to making shoes for police personnel," adds Scandurra, "which remain in the order of small numbers, but train people for real work with real employability.

The widest contrast can perhaps be seen between the work of the social cooperatives and that of private entrepreneurs. But more than a problem of intentions, for Scandurra, it is bureaucracy and logistical hindrances that hinder the success of many projects proposed by companies.

"While social cooperatives construct paths inside the prison that they are then able to successfully take outside, for example by availing themselves of the aid of the Smuraglia law and net of a labour market insertion that remains very mediated, private entrepreneurs have real difficulties in importing the modus operandi of enterprise into prison and ensuring that those involved, at the end of their sentences, can work profitably. This remains the issue that is repeatedly insisted upon but the results are not satisfactory: to date, out of approximately 62,000 prisoners, only 250 are employed by companies. Goodwill, unfortunately, does not compensate for operational difficulties'.

To untangle the knots, we need to work in several directions. One of the solutions, for example, would be to implement remote working, with benefits also for training and in line with market demands. And then focus on investments, structuring strategies built 'around the needs of the person, aligning them with those of the network'.

More resources to education

On the school projects front, the situation seems less critical but is still a work in progress. They remain, however, an essential resource, especially for young prisoners.

"Education remains a tool for powerful emancipation and contributes to the reintegration of prisoners and ex-prisoners into society," emphasises Emidio Musacchio, head of the Porto Valtravaglia branch of the Asilo Mariuccia Foundation. "Various programmes have been implemented in prisons, from basic literacy to university courses, but there are still significant challenges to be met, such as the need for economic resources, access to modern technologies and post-prison support. In this respect, the collaboration between the prison system, educational institutions and non-profit organisations must be improved. Ensuring equal access for all, including with personalised mentoring and development programmes to ease the transition to life outside prison'.

The alternative measures

In this context, shining a spotlight on the reintegration of those serving alternative measures to detention is as necessary as ever. Although in Italy, in 2024, more than 90,000 people were in home detention or semi-release (thus more than incarcerated prisoners), reintegration is not so easy. Because, while on the one hand, the work of volunteers, non-profit organisations and businesses makes a difference, on the other hand, regulations do not help entrepreneurs.

"Alternative punishments exist and should be considered," emphasises Adriano Moraglio, president of the La goccia di Lube association, which, with the inclusive Impresa accogliente project financed by the Piedmont Region, has scored 23 work placements out of 90 in and around Turin in the last year.

"Those who are serving these measures are 'less protected' than those who are inside: we are mostly talking about disadvantaged individuals with low education who, if not properly supported, cannot support themselves," Moraglio concludes. "If we really want to aim at zero recidivism, we have to start with them. Then certainly update the Smuraglia law, which to date does not guarantee incentives to companies that hire workers in alternative measures and for the beneficiaries provides a far from streamlined procedure. And, finally, activate awareness-raising work that acts on mentalities and helps to eradicate prejudice, involving all the pieces of the puzzle and actively helping people who, otherwise, risk carrying a stigma for life'.

The role of the Third Sector

The role of the Third Sector remains decisive in reintegration. Over the years, various projects have been activated and managed by foundations and non-profit associations. Starting, for example, with the aforementioned Welcome Enterprise: the first edition counted on the support of the Uiepe (Turin's Interdistrict Office for External Criminal Execution), the Juvenile Justice Centre, employers, employment agencies and companies. "A virtuous example of synergy between the public, non-profit and business sectors," says Antonella Giordano, director of Uiepe Piedmont, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta. "The objective remains that of implementing the sentence but tending to restore dignity to the convicted person and to encourage social reparation." Numerous initiatives have also been undertaken by the Asilo Mariuccia Foundation: from work education workshops to motivate and stimulate young people to the Un porto nuovo project to expand the range of services offered in the Porto Valtravaglia pole, with five workshops (kitchen, bakery, IT, maintenance and ship carpentry). Until the next opening of the sports centre.