“You can rely on us“ – a project aimed at monitoring the involvement of third-sector entities in the external penal domain

Abstract

The article considers the social effort exerted by third-sector organizations in the context of alternative measures to detention, offering individuals who have committed criminal offenses an opportunity for social reintegration by welcoming them into the social fabric while they are still serving their sentences. Referencing legal provisions and the theoretical framework of restorative justice supporting this form of intervention, the project "You Can Count on Us" monitored the structures in the Veneto Region that support collaboration with the justice system and investigated the experiences, opinions, potentials, limits, and best practices of third-sector entities in the external criminal area. This involved engaging professionals, managers, and users within this context. The results of this investigative operation, conducted between 2021 and 2022, are then presented, revealing a positive impact on users manifested in an increased level of resilience and future orientation, acquisition of psychosocial skills, enhanced possibilities for rehabilitation, and re-education from a restorative perspective by valuing the uniqueness and dignity of each individual beneficiary's journey. Furthermore, the importance of collaborations and networks with institutions has emerged, allowing for the enhancement of practices capable of reducing the high rate of work-related stress and increasing operational effectiveness. The research was conducted using a mixed-method approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative tools.