Claudio Burgio criticizes Italian juvenile justice bill

Claudio Burgio, chaplain of the Beccaria juvenile detention center in Milan, has raised concerns regarding a new bill approved by the Italian Council of Ministers on July 23, 2026. The legislation introduces a presumption of criminal responsibility for minors aged 14 to 18.

Writing in the November issue of Vita Pastorale, Burgio argues that the bill risks shifting Italy away from its legal tradition of prioritizing educational rehabilitation for adolescents. He warns that adopting a purely repressive model similar to adult justice fails to address the complexities of youth violence and may undermine international protections, such as those outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.