Verona Municipality Launches Rehabilitation Program for Violent Offenders
The Municipality of Verona, in collaboration with the Montorio District House and under the guidance of the Guarantor of the People Held, Don Carlo Vinco, has initiated a new program aimed at rehabilitating men incarcerated for gender-based violence. This initiative focuses on providing psycho-educational support to individuals convicted of sexual offenses, domestic abuse, and stalking, with the goal of fostering recovery and preventing future harm.
The program, spearheaded by the Municipality’s “Do Not Act Violence of Anti-Violence Services” – known as the Nav Center - will deliver individualized treatment plans funded by the penitentiary system. Approved by the Verona City Council on the proposal of Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Gender Equality Barbara Bissoli, the agreement signifies a proactive commitment to re-education within the criminal justice system.
The Nav Center, coordinated by Dr. Filippo Saccardo, will conduct psycho-educational activities within the prison walls, working closely with prison staff and participating in regular observation and treatment meetings (GOT) overseen by the Penitentiary Governance Department. This collaborative approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of each inmate’s progress and allows for adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.
the program itself will consist of a minimum of 60 hours of intervention spread over at least 12 months, delivered in small group settings of no more than eight participants. It is designed for inmates who have undergone personality assessments as outlined in articles 13 and 4-bis of Law 354/1975, and aims to empower individuals to acknowledge the impact of their actions and reflect on the consequences of their crimes, aligning with the principles of article 13-bis of the same law.
Deputy Mayor Bissoli emphasized the program’s alignment with both the Italian Constitution’s mandate for the rehabilitation of offenders (Article 27) and the Istanbul Convention’s call for treatment programs for perpetrators of gender-based violence.”This initiative directly addresses the need to prevent recidivism and, crucially, to protect the safety and well-being of women who have experienced violence,” she stated. The program builds upon the expertise of the Municipality’s anti-violence services, developed thru a dedicated working group coordinated by Councilors Luisa Ceni and Stefania Zivelonghi.
Dr. Mariagrazia Bregoli, Director of the Montorio District House, highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes of these crimes, which frequently enough originate within family dynamics. “It is vital to provide pathways that enable incarcerated individuals to reintegrate positively, not only into society but, importantly, back into their families, ensuring the psycho-physical well-being of all family members and contributing to the prevention of future violence,” she explained.
This collaboration represents a significant step towards a more holistic and preventative approach to addressing gender-based violence in Verona, prioritizing both accountability and the potential for positive change.
