From Prison Bars to Society and Return: Some Reflections on an Italian Experience

The construction of educational and professional growth paths during the period of detention represents a fundamental tool for promoting the personality of the sentenced person with a view to social reintegration. In Italy, the resources investment in implementation of didactic and cultural pathways implemented by the institution of University Penitentiary Poles (UPP), pursues a clear and innovative emancipatory intent which, against the mere painful, correctional and containing conception of the prison sentence, offers a plausible opportunity of ransom and recovery for restrained people. Starting from a theoretical reflection on the value of education as a vector of inclusion and social integration, this contribution aims to illustrate the current territorial configuration of UPPs, highlighting, at the same time, their favorable outcome and eventual critical issues.