Napoli– Un cortile trasformato in gym a cielo aperto e un campetto polivalente dedicato all’attività sportiva dei detenuti: è il nuovo volto del Reparto Livorno del carcere di Poggioreale, che domani sarà ufficialmente inaugurato alla presenza del capo del Dipartimento dell’Amministrazione Penitenziaria, Stefano Carmine De Michele.
This intervention represents a concrete step towards humanizing punishment and improving the quality of prison life.
The initiative, promoted by the Carcere Possibile Onlus Association with the support of the Regional Penitentiary Administration Office and the contribution of the Made in Heart non-profit organization, is part of the "Prison in the City, the City in the Prison" project, launched in 2016 to restore dignity and functionality to the internal spaces of penitentiaries.
The sports facility in the courtyard of the Livorno department
The courtyard of the Livorno Ward, one of the previously underutilized spaces in the Poggioreale prison, has been redesigned as a meeting place and wellness center, with the aim of encouraging social interaction and contributing to the inmates' rehabilitation process.
A model of urban regeneration within the prison, inspired by a concept of detention that does not renounce fundamental human rights.
"A relaxation and meeting area is essential for those living in confined spaces," emphasize regional superintendent Lucia Castellano and institute director Stefano Martone, who also explain the timing: "We wanted to open the courtyard during the summer, when daily life in prison becomes even more challenging due to the heat and the suspension of many activities."
Significant will be the presence of the head of the DAP, Stefano Carmine De Michele, who will personally cut the inaugural ribbon.
"It's a symbolic gesture," Castellano and Martone commented, "but also a concrete one, demonstrating the Prison Administration's dedication not only to inmates but also to the staff who work every day in difficult conditions with professionalism and a spirit of service."
Il Poggioreale prisonDue to its location in the heart of the city and its historic significance, it was identified as the ideal place to launch a new model of participatory detention open to the wider community. This experiment aims to transcend the logic of isolation and create spaces—both physical and symbolic—for inclusion and change.
Article published by Rosaria Federico on August 6, 2025, at 08:51 PM
Comments (1)
It's very interesting to see how Poggioreale Prison is transforming into a more humane place, but I wonder if these changes can actually have a positive impact on inmates and their reintegration into society. The hope is that similar initiatives can become the norm, not the exception.