Alternative Measures to Imprisonment Are Beneficial

When reintegration paths into the legal and dignified job market are activated, individuals leaving prison are more likely to avoid relapse and re-entry into incarceration. A study from the Alternative Measures Observatory of the Department of Penitentiary Administration (DAP) in 2007 already showed that the percentage of recidivism among those serving a sentence in prison is 68%, while the percentage drops to 19% for those who have benefited from alternative measures. Furthermore, according to recent research, promoting alternative measures reduces overcrowding in prisons, lowers costs for the state, and promotes community safety.

The Role of Businesses in Reintegration Paths

High-impact social enterprises like Wonderful Italy can contribute to reducing biases against those who have entered the penal system by increasing training and job opportunities in the tourism sector. In doing so, they also produce systemic benefits: "Engaging in projects in the penitentiary sector returns to businesses and territories not only in terms of social impact and support for beneficiaries but also with operational advantages, widespread skills and professionalism, organizational well-being, and relational capital for the involved employees" (Maurizio Giambalvo, Head of Social Impact and Special Projects at WI).

For this reason, Wonderful Italy has been collaborating for years in Campania with the Social Cooperative Lazzarelle, a social enterprise established in 2010, engaged in projects for female empowerment and the occupational integration of incarcerated women.

Inclusion Opportunities from the Short-Term Rental Tourism Sector

"Innovative ideas generate positive energy. The collaboration between the women of 'Lazzarelle' and 'Wonderful Italy' demonstrates that it is possible to create new job opportunities in the tourism sector for vulnerable or at-risk individuals. This partnership involves women to make them independent, autonomous, and aware of their potential, thus avoiding the risk of falling back into illegal circuits" declares Imma Carpiniello - CEO of Coop. Lazzarelle, recently appointed by President Mattarella as a new knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

The partnership dates back to 2020: we started by offering guests of our Neapolitan homes the - delicious - coffee produced in the active roastery in the women's prison of Pozzuoli. Then, experimenting with the offer of breakfasts produced and distributed by Lazzarelle Bistrot, located in Galleria Principe in Naples. Commercial collaboration with social cooperatives is important, but - as sung by Ruggeri, Morandi, and Tozzi - we can give more… So, in the spring of 2023, together with Coop. Lazzarelle and the Penitentiary Administration, we started a course aimed at training experts in the professional cleaning sector with a specific focus on short-term rentals, also to address a dramatic shortage of personnel in the sector.

The Training Program and Internships

The course, strongly supported by the Director of the Pozzuoli prison, Maria Luisa Palma, and the educational team of the institute, involved 10 incarcerated women. They dedicated over 200 hours to lessons conducted by social workers from Coop. Lazzarelle, Giorgia Puleo (founder of Clean Sicily), and the Napoli hub team (Rita Chiacchio, Operations Manager).

"Two months after the start of the course, already four women have benefited from semi-liberty - an alternative measure that allows them to work outside and return to the institute in the evening - and attended a two-month training internship funded by the Penitentiary Administration. After successfully completing the internship, the journey continues with a new six-month paid internship provided by Wonderful Italy for two women." (Barbara di Colandrea, Welcome Manager Hub Napoli)

"The internship took place at accommodation facilities managed by Wonderful Italy in Naples and by Alma Service, one of our partner companies in the Campania region, a positive example of involvement in the WI supplier network. Other companies have since expressed their willingness to host internships and hire women leaving prison." (Vito Campanelli, CEO of Wonderful Italy Napoli Hub)

An important opportunity for someone like Oriane Dorcas, of Nigerian origin, who has spent many years in prison: "I learned a lot from the course, this internship has changed my life." Her colleague and fellow inmate, Maria Nappello, a Neapolitan, also agrees: "During the internship, I met beautiful people and hope to continue this career path."

Results and Positive Effects (Not Only for Incarcerated Women)

Aimed at improving the condition of incarcerated women, the program also has a positive impact on organizations and teams involved in knowledge transfer and job placement. In addition to the improvement in the quality of cleaning and better guest reviews, Giorgia Puleo highlights the benefits in terms of relationships and human experience: "The training at the Pozzuoli prison has been an experience that has given me many emotions. The enthusiasm that each of the participants put into the course, the activation of four internships, and the extension of six months for two of them have made me proud of the journey we have taken together."

Reciprocity in social impact projects is a fundamental factor, as emphasized by Rita Chiacchio, Operations Manager Hub Napoli: "We have gained precious, capable, and motivated resources, and they have gained an ally that seriously supports them in a constructive reintegration into society. We hope to continue this beautiful collaboration for a long time."