Experience Exchange Visit to Italy

ARISA CHILD held an Experience Exchange Visit in Rome, Italy, on October 11th and 12th, 2023. The event brought together 20 professionals, working in the field of juvenile justice from Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Italy. Organised by the Associazione Antigone, the overarching objective of the visit was to cultivate the proficiency of all participants by involving them in engaging discussions on both a comparison between the different national systems, and the identification of best practices for staff working with minors sentenced to prison or probation.

The first day of the Exchange visit was marked by a welcome session, giving participants the opportunity to introduce their expertise, followed by an introduction to the comprehensive work achieved by the ARISA CHILD team. Additionally, Susanna Marietti, Coordinator of the Observatory on Detention Conditions for Minors of the Associazione Antigone, delivered a presentation focused on the comparison between the adult and juvenile penal systems in Italy, highlighting their main differences, as well as the rights of sentenced minors in juvenile prisons. Lastly, the participants visited the Borgo Amigò Juvenile Community Center, a shelter home hosting minors and young adults (until 25 years old) subject to alternative measures to detention, unaccompanied foreign minors and minors subject to civil measures.

On October 12th, the participants visited IPM Casal del Marmo Juvenile Prison, where they were able to discuss with the Institute Director issues encountered relating to the organisations of the facility, including the methods of educational intervention in relation to minors/young adults in detention. Due to its overarching nature, the visit facilitated valuable knowledge exchange, as well as identification of effective approaches for interactions with children in conflict or contact with criminal justice.