The buried alive: forgotten women in Italian penitentiary institutions

Abstract

The story of women in prison has always been an interesting topic to explore.  In this contribution we intend to highlight the theme of the marginalization of women detained in Italian penitentiary institutions: isolated, forgotten women and - as in the case of the high security section of the prison in Messina - buried alive.  Our reflection intends to take a snapshot of the current situation of female detention and to hypothesize ways of development, of emancipation so that we can no longer forget anyone and none and, at the same time, offer to prison staff and civil society, opportunities for reflection on the condition of imprisonment, in particular that of women.