Interaction among peoples in prison Inquiry on the “Otherness” perception in reclusion:

the case of Montorio (Verona, Italy)Multidisciplinary project 2013-2014

Alteritas - Interazione tra i popoli!in cooperation with the Direction of the Montorio Prison (VR) !

and the Ombundsman for Prisoners’ Rights!under the Aegis of the Regional Prison Administration for Triveneto!

of the “Ufficio per l’Esecuzione Penale Esterna di Verona” !and of the Verona University

Sponsor: Fondazione Biondani Ravetta ONLUS

Project roll out

Before

Focus Group

After

Structure !Planning!Funding !Institutional relationships !Team training and briefing!Preliminary documents

in prison (5 FG)outside (1 FG)

Debriefing and Analysis!Interview with the prison chaplain !Summary document drawing up!Data dissemination

The Team

Simona Marchesini, team leader, archaeologist, linguist!

Silvia Negrotti, scientific responsible and conductor, psycho-anthropologist!

Sabaudin Varvarica, conductor and recorder, anthropologist, intercultural mediator!

Vittorio Dell’Aquila, researcher, sociolinguist!

Ombundsman’s assistant, criminologist, recorder.

Focus Group

Guided discussion in interactive mode!

Focus on the interactions among peoples within prison!

Application of non-directive, creative methodology!

Associations and screenings (metaphors)!

Collage

Characteristic of groups

5-8 persons!

Participants age: < 26/> 40 years old!

Men/Women!

coming from 4 macro-geographical areas: (North Africa, Italy, Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa)

Typology of groups by age and provenance

> 40 yrs old Italian and non-Italian men!

> 40 yrs old non-Italian men!

< 26 yrs old Italian and non-Italian men!

< 26 yrs old non-Italian men!

Italian and non-Italian women (of varied ages)

Former inmates group for the outside FG

10 persons not too far apart in detention experience !

Men and Women together!

of all ages!

Italian and non-Italian

FG Calender

20.11.2013: > 40 yrs old Italian and non-Italian men!26.11.2013: < 26 yrs old non-Italian men!28.11.13: < 26 yrs old Italian and non-Italian men!3.12.13: > 40 yrs old non-Italian men!5.12.13: women mixed by age and provenance!12.12.13: external Italian and non-Italian men and women at the Municipality of Verona.

Data Interpretation

The team of researchers has worked together, each according to his/her skills, to elaborate and interpret the data obtained in FGs:!!

• Discussions (verbalizations)!!

• The iconographic material of the collages

Debriefing: reading and analysis of the collages made during the FGs

Collage

Group work done by the participants who have freely made use of images and words: “represent on paper what we have said so far, thinking about the present but also the future”. !

Material used: magazines and e colored markers.

Collage 1: > 40 yrs old men (mixed provenience)(20.11.13)

Collage 2: > 40 yrs old men (mixed

provenience) (20.11.13)

Collage 3: < 26 yrs old men (mixed provenience) (26.11.13)

Collage 4: < 26 yrs old men (mixed provenience) (28.11.13)

Collage 5: > 40 yrs old non-Italian men (3.12.13)

Collage 6: women (5.12.13)

Collage 7: women (5.12.13)

Collage 8: former prisoners (12.12.13)

Conclusions

Hierarchy between self-identifications parameters!

Emerging of different identities!

Relevant parameter: Being Italian/non-Italian!

Relevant parameter: Being Muslim/non-Muslim

Conclusions

The rethinking of identity, which is induced by the inmate’s imprisonment situation, reveals the tendency

of certain attitudes. In this process, it seemed that some stages could be identified.!

Identified Stages

1. Becoming familiar with and subsequently adapting to the new context!2. Insightfully looking for strategies of coexistence!3. Challenging and reassessing various stereotypes and cultural references!4. Elaborating a system of values!5. Reconstructing oneself!6. Reworking of the concept of “Otherness”!7. Creating a new “sharing” culture.

Hints: what to do inside

Create the possibility of a confrontation, which leads to the deconstruction of personality and its subsequent reconstruction by encouraging self-awareness enhancement.!

Raise awareness among prison workers with regard to the topic in order to further facilitate the above process.

Hints: what to do outside

Create references, which enable people to promote and carry on the deconstruction and reconstruction accomplishments by consolidating positive personality aspects that have emerged during the imprisonment period.!

Identify communities (associations, social structures, religious, recovery community, etc…) that can become a new benchmark for those leaving prison.!

Create a logic of network that contains and encourages rehabilitation and the reconstruction of a role within the society.

Possible routes

Find an agency in charge of coordinating the various communities and institutions.!

Create opportunities for discussion and debate among the involved various groups: for prisoners, for ex-prisoners, for educators, communities and citizens.