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WOMEN'S PRISONS - ITALY

NCJ Number
43887
Journal
Rassegna di Studi Penitenziari Volume: 26 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (MAY-AUGUST 1976) Pages: 423-437
Author(s)
A M ALBERTI POLIGNANI
Date Published
1976
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THE STATE-OF-THE-ART OF PRISON FACILITIES FOR WOMEN IN ITALY, SPECIAL PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WITH FEMALE INMATES, AND TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT METHODS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
IN 1976, CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN ITALY INCLUDED 58 'CARCERI GIUDIZIARIE' (PRISONS WHERE ACCUSED PERSONS ARE HELD IN CUSTODY PENDING TRIAL) FOR MEN WITH SECTIONS FOR WOMEN, 6 SUCH FACILITIES SOLELY FOR WOMEN, 3 PENAL INSTITUTIONS, 6 TREATMENT AND CUSTODIAL CENTERS FOR BOTH MALES AND FEMALES, 2 MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTIONS, 1 PENAL AGRICULTURAL SETTLEMENT, AND 1 'WORK-HOUSE.' AT THE END OF 1975, THE FEMALE POPULATION IN THE PRISON SYSTEM WAS 1,115, OF WHICH 454 WERE ALREADY SENTENCED AND 661 WERE AWAITING ADJUDICATION, COMPARED TO A TOTAL OF 30,000 MALES. STATISTICS SHOW THAT 0.4 PERCENT OF THE CRIMES COMMITTED BY WOMEN IN ITALY ARE OFFENSES AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (I.E., CALUMNY, PERJURY, CONTEMPT OF COURT), 50 PERCENT ARE PROPERTY CRIMES, 10-15 PERCENT ARE CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS, AND 20-30 PERCENT ARE MORALS CRIMES (I.E., OBSCENE ACTS, PROSTITUTION). A MAJOR CONCESSION TO THE FEMALE PRISON POPULATION WAS THE CREATION UNDER ARTICLE 11 OF THE 1975 PENITENTIARY REFORM LAW OF 'ASILI NIDO' (NURSERIES) FOR CHILDREN WHO, UP TO THE AGE OF 3, MAY STAY WITH THE INCARCERATED MOTHER. A SERIOUS FAILING OF THE ITALIAN SYSTEM IS THE LACK OF SECTIONS FOR JUVENILES IN FEMALE PRISONS: GIRLS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE ARE INCARCERATED IN INSTITUTES FOR ADULT WOMEN, WITH NO DISTINCTIONS MADE BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF OFFENSES COMMITTED OR DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREATMENT NEEDED FOR THE TWO GROUPS. AS DELINQUENCY AMONG WOMEN IN ITALY IS MUCH LESS COMMON THAN IT IS AMONG MALES, THE AUTHORITIES ARE RELUCTANT TO CONSTRUCT AND STAFF SPECIAL FACILITIES FOR FEMALE JUVENILES, PREFERRING TO HOUSE THEM IN EXISTING ADULT INSTITUTIONS. ASPECTS OF TREATMENT STRESSED INCLUDE INSTRUCTION; WORK; RELIGION; CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL, AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES; AND SUITABLE CONTACTS WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD AND THE FAMILY IN ORDER TO AVOID FURTHER ALIENATION OF THE INCARCERATED WOMAN. TREATMENT PROGRAMS AND CORRECTIONAL MANAGEMENT IN SPECIFIC ITALIAN INSTITUTIONS ARE DESCRIBED. --IN ITALIAN.

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