Studiare in carcere: una sfida formativa, culturale, personale e istituzionale

Abstract

For several years, the right to study in prison, including at the university level, has been supported by the establishment of Penitentiary University Centers (PUP) in many Italian universities and by the national coordination network of the National Conference of Penitentiary University Centers (CNUPP).

Study is an activity recognized by international literature as beneficial not only for educational and cultural purposes but also for promoting transversal skills, such as communication and time management, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. The study experience facilitates social reintegration, reduces the risk of recidivism, and allows for social contact with people outside the prison context, as also described in international literature.

The challenges of studying in prison and the complexity of organizing penitentiary university centers, both from the prison administration and academic perspectives, are presented.