Il carcere e l'esecuzione penale in Italia nell'ultimo decennio

The number of people held in custody in Italy has reached its highest level since World War II. When interpreting the data and trends observed over the last decade, however, we should bear in mind that prisons are no longer the main centres where sentences are served; rather, they form part of a broad and diverse system of penal control. Indeed, sentences may now be served in different settings (prisons, communities, house arrest, on bail), at different times (immediately, for those already in prison or under alternative measures; at a later date, for those under suspended sentence), or in ways that do not necessarily involve contact with prison (from alternative measures to release). In describing and interpreting the trend in imprisonment, it is therefore necessary to refer also to the other penal modalities: alternative measures and suspension. We considered three factors that influence the number of subjects serving sentences: the granting of suspended sentences, the duration of custodial sentences imposed by the courts, and the application of alternative measures. Analysis of the most recent data regarding these factors reveals that all three influence expiation modalities, albeit to different degrees. Specifically, three concomitant phenomena can be observed: a considerable decline in suspended sentences, a significant increase in custodial sentences and a marked reduction in the imposition of alternative measures. While these factors alone cannot entirely explain the rise in the prison population, they are certainly of great relevance. Finally, it must be borne in mind that drug addicts and foreigners have long made up the majority of prison inmates. Although their large numbers are certainly a direct consequence of the above-mentioned factors, they also stem from other causes, among which the application of recent laws regarding recidivism, drugs and immigration deserves particular attention.