Roberto Cavalieri convenes Bologna conference on prison overcrowding and recidivism

A conference organised by regional prison guarantor Roberto Cavalieri was held on Tuesday, 30 June, in the Fanti Hall of the Legislative Assembly in Bologna (Viale Aldo Moro 50). The seminar, titled “Il contrasto al sovraffollamento penitenziario e alla recidiva: dall’esecuzione penale alla reintegrazione sociale”, examined how overcrowded prisons hinder rehabilitative pathways, with Cavalieri stating, “L’aspetto del sovraffollamento carcerario … ostacola la riuscita dei percorsi rieducativi”. The event presented an analysis of more than 300 former detainees who had been placed in the community of Papa Giovanni XXIII, highlighting both temporary and permanent integration outcomes.

Participants included Vice‑President of the High Council of the Judiciary Fabio Pinelli, Cardinal and Archbishop of Bologna Matteo Zuppi, prison administration head Silvio Di Gregorio, youth justice director Nicola Palmiero, regional welfare officials Manuela Rontini and Isabella Conti, University of Bologna sociologist Raffaella Sette, prison observatory chief Luca Sebastiani, Antigone association coordinator Giulia Fabini and mayor Filippo Sica. The discussion stressed the need for greater territorial involvement to address overcrowding and reduce recidivism.