Prison, recidvism, and alternative measures to detention in Italy over the past ten years

This article aims to analyse the reality in the Italian prison system over the last decade, with particular reference to the phenomena of overcrowding, recidivism, and the effectiveness of alternative measures to detention. The analysed statistical data show that implementation of such alternative measures to detention is completely effective in preventing convicted criminals from re-offending during the period of execution and is suitable for ensuring adequate social protection. Then, this article focused on examining a rehabilitation project aimed at prisoners conducted in non-prison detention centres. It has become apparent that there is a need to further promote the use of alternative measures to detention through the identification of good practices to progressively reduce the risk of these rights becoming "privileges" for a selected population.