[REVISION HISTORY]

Italy expands rehab programs for drug‑dependent inmates

Updated 12 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-06 15:52 UTC → 2026-08-21 12:26 UTC · added ~~removed~~

On 29 July ~~2026~~ 2026, Italy’s Parliament passed a reform allowing ~~drug‑~~ drug- and ~~alcohol‑dependent~~ alcohol-dependent prisoners serving up to eight years to serve under house arrest or in accredited therapeutic residential ~~facilities, provided they join a rehabilitation programme.~~ facilities. The ~~law~~ law, which amends ~~the~~ D.P.R. ~~309/1990 with new articles 94‑ter and 94‑quater, raising~~ 309/1990, reduces the ~~residual‑sentence~~ threshold ~~from six~~ to ~~eight~~ four years ~~and excluding the most~~ for serious ~~offences. A follow‑up report on 3 August 2026 clarified that the measure could affect up to 14 000 inmates, with~~ crimes such as terrorism or mafia-related offenses. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio ~~estimating roughly 10 000 could be transferred~~ described the reform as “epochal,” while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called it a “victory on multiple fronts.” The measure aims to ~~community‑based treatment. Critics warned~~ address chronic prison overcrowding, which has reached approximately 141.3% capacity. While up to 14,000 inmates may qualify, experts warn that ~~Italy’s strained public‑health system, especially dependency services~~ funding and ~~psychiatric units, might struggle to absorb~~ staffing shortages could limit the ~~influx. Regional authorities began implementation on 4 August. In Calabria,~~ impact. With a budget of €19.4 million and rehabilitation costs estimated at €106 per day, the ~~welfare department coordinated with therapeutic communities to place~~ program may only cover about 500 people per year—roughly 2% of the eligible ~~inmates in accredited facilities.~~ 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 ~~placed 14 prisoners~~ program employs inmates from ~~the~~ Borgo San Nicola prison as lifeguards on ~~lifeguard duties along~~ Salento’s beaches ~~after~~ following a ~~three‑month~~ three-month training course. ~~The inmates work 36 hours per week at private bathing sites and an agritourism complex, earning €50 per day. The~~ In early August, reports indicated the scheme ~~aims to alleviate a shortfall of 3‑4 000 lifeguards while providing detainees with professional skills for reintegration. Organisers are considering expanding~~ was operating without reported incidents or evasion attempts. Meanwhile, in Campania, regional guarantors have welcomed the ~~model~~ reform but warned of insufficient resources to other prisons and sectors such as hospitality and agriculture. Both initiatives are promoted as models for extending rehabilitative opportunities nationwide, though concerns persist about health‑care capacity and funding for manage the ~~expanded programmes.~~ estimated 2,125 drug-dependent inmates in the region alone.

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