# Italy expands rehab programs for drug‑dependent inmates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italy-home-detention-law-for-drugdependent-inmates > Updated: 2026-08-20T12:41:44.000Z. Sources: 55. Developments: 7. On 29 July 2026, Italy’s Parliament passed a reform allowing drug- and alcohol-dependent prisoners serving up to eight years to serve under house arrest or in accredited therapeutic residential facilities. The law, which amends D.P.R. 309/1990, reduces the threshold to four years for serious crimes such as terrorism or mafia-related offenses. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio described the reform as “epochal,” while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called it a “victory on multiple fronts.” The measure aims to address chronic prison overcrowding, which has reached approximately 141.3% capacity. While up to 14,000 inmates may qualify, experts warn that funding and staffing shortages could limit the impact. With a budget of €19.4 million and rehabilitation costs estimated at €106 per day, the program may only cover about 500 people per year—roughly 2% of the eligible population. Critics, including prosecutor Nicola Gratteri, have characterized the law as a “masked pardon.” Regional implementation has seen varied approaches. In Apulia, the “Io Salvo” pilot program employs inmates from Borgo San Nicola prison as lifeguards on Salento’s beaches following a three-month training course. In early August, reports indicated the scheme was operating without reported incidents or evasion attempts. Meanwhile, in Campania, regional guarantors have welcomed the reform but warned of insufficient resources to manage the estimated 2,125 drug-dependent inmates in the region alone. ## Claims - Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the law a “victory on multiple fronts”. (corroborated by 22 sources) - Italian prisons operate at about 140 % capacity, with roughly 65 000 inmates in facilities designed for about 52 000. (corroborated by 20 sources) - The law allows inmates with residual sentences up to eight years, reduced to four years for serious offences, to serve at home if they join a therapeutic programme. (corroborated by 20 sources) - Justice Minister Carlo Nordio described the reform as an “epochal”/“epic” step. (corroborated by 19 sources) - The measure is expected to benefit about 10,000 drug‑dependent inmates and roughly 3,700 alcohol‑dependent prisoners. (corroborated by 18 sources) - Funding will initially cover 500 rehabilitation places in 2026, potentially financing fewer than 600 addicts. (corroborated by 15 sources) - The Italian Parliament approved a law allowing home detention for drug‑ and alcohol‑dependent inmates who join rehabilitation programmes. (corroborated by 14 sources) - The law passed with 153 votes in favour, 42 against and 82 abstentions. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The Chamber of Deputies approved the law with 153 votes in favour, 42 against and 82 abstentions. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The law will allow alternative detention for at least 10 000 drug‑dependent offenders. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The law allows home detention for drug‑dependent or alcohol‑dependent inmates with sentences up to eight years who join a rehabilitation programme. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Justice Minister Carlo Nordio described the measure as “epochal”. (corroborated by 7 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-20: Italy implements prison reform law for inmates with addictions Italy has implemented a law allowing inmates with addictions to serve sentences in therapeutic facilities to combat prison overcrowding, though funding may limit benefits to only 2% of eligible prisoners. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-implements-prison-reform-law-for-inmates-with-addictions ### 2026-08-07: Italy uses prisoners as beach lifeguards to combat lifeguard shortage Italy’s “Io salvo” programme places prison inmates as beach lifeguards after a three‑month training, aiming to close a 3‑4 000‑person lifeguard gap; Hessen, Germany, is trialling refugees and AI for the same. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-uses-prisoners-as-beach-lifeguards-to-combat-lifeguard-shortage ### 2026-08-04: Apulia Deploys Prisoners as Lifeguards to Ease Beach Rescue Shortage Apulia’s “Io salvo” program assigns 14 prisoners to lifeguard duties on Salento beaches after training, earning €50 daily and helping fill a major lifeguard shortage while supporting inmate resocialization. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-expands-rehabilitation-programs-for-detainees-in-calabria-and-salento ### 2026-08-03: Italy adopts therapeutic home detention for drug‑ and alcohol‑dependent prisoners Italy’s new law creates therapeutic home detention for drug‑ and alcohol‑dependent inmates, aiming to cut prison overcrowding but raising concerns about overburdening the health system. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-adopts-therapeutic-home-detention-for-drug-and-alcoholdependent-prisoners ### 2026-07-31: Italy extends disability support and adopts therapeutic home detention law Italy prolongs Puglia's disability aid until end‑2026 and passes a law for therapeutic home detention of drug‑dependent prisoners, amid concerns over funding. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-extends-disability-support-and-adopts-therapeutic-home-detention-law ### 2026-07-29: Italy Passes Law Allowing Home Detention for Drug‑ and Alcohol‑Dependent Inmates Italy’s parliament approved a law enabling home or therapeutic detention for about 10 000 drug‑dependent and 3 700 alcohol‑dependent inmates, aiming to cut prison overcrowding; Justice Minister Nordio called it 40 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-parliament-passes-home-detention-law-for-drugdependent-inmates ### 2026-07-08: Italy releases 88‑year‑old inmate Antonio Russo to home detention Italy’s 88‑year‑old inmate Antonio Russo was granted home detention for health reasons, underscoring concerns as roughly 1,300 Italian prisoners over 70 suffer chronic illnesses. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-releases-88yearold-inmate-antonio-russo-to-home-detention --- Cite as: Italy expands rehab programs for drug‑dependent inmates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italy-home-detention-law-for-drugdependent-inmates