Immigrant prisoners in Italy. Cultural mediation to reduce social isolation and increase migrant prisoner well-being?

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to highlight how easy it is for immigrants to break Italian law because of the country's inadequate cultural and linguistic mediation service. Insufficiencies in this service also have a negative impact on both the psychological and physical health of migrant prisoners. Furthermore, Italian is used in legal disputes and prison, and reference is made to Italian culture, preventing migrants from understanding their position regarding the law.

Design/methodology/approach: This report concerns the psychological discomfort of migrant incarcerated individuals within Italian prisons due to national laws in force. Consideration is also given to the negative impact on the physical health of incarcerated migrants.

Findings: Best practice should include adequate space for linguistic and cultural mediation in reception centres and prisons. It is considered suitable to combat social exclusion, even in prison.

Research limitations/implications: The report is not research on prisoners, but it focuses on making visible the condition of migrant individuals incarcerated in Italy.

Social implications: Enforced isolation does not allow immigrants to become a community resource but has negative repercussions in terms of financial, social and well-being costs.

Originality/value: This paper is one of few in limited, national or otherwise scientific output, to contribute to migrant inmate visibility in Italy. Taking action for the well-being of migrant prisoners will not only have a positive impact on a social level but should also help reintegrate these individuals after serving their sentence.